University of Michigan Technology Maps Patients’ Real-Time Pain

University of Michigan researchers have developed a technology to help clinicians map patient pain in real-time via the use of special augmented reality glasses.

The technology involves a portable clinical augmented reality and artificial intelligence (CLARAI) platform that combines visualization with brain data using neuroimaging to navigate through a patient’s brain while in the chair. It was tested on 21 volunteer dental patients.

Researchers triggered pain by administering cold to the patient’s tooth. Participants wore a sensor-outfitted cap that detected changes to blood flow and oxygenation, brain activity, and responses to pain. The information was transmitted to a computer and interpreted. The team used brain pain data to develop algorithms that predicted pain or the absence of it about 70% of the time, according to university sources.

The small feasibility study is available in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.