A systematic approach to eye diagnosis in LMICs: Design of a funduscopy device for capturing eye images and make a corresponding diagnosis using eye images in a software database

Abstract

This is a technical report containing information on the activities carried out by team The Bekaz during the Biomedical Engineering Design IV course. This course is undertaken in Biomedical Engineering as a continuation of Biomedical Engineering Design III which is done during the first semester of fourth year, following Biomedical Engineering Design II which is done in the second semester of the third year and Biomedical Engineering Design I which is done during the first semester of the third year. It, therefore, contains work done from the period of 4th March, 2021 to 9th September, 2022. The report is divided into four sections, section one gives the needs-finding exercise, the problem statement, the criteria for the solution to the problem, and its justification. Section two contains the designs of the prototype and engineering analysis of the solution; section three contains the testing protocols of the solution and section four contains the modifications and improvements that were done on the prototype during the project. We carried out a needs-finding exercise at the beginning of the first semester in Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH) in addition to consultation with specialists like Ms. Immaculate Ankunda Emoru of the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) department of MNRH and even literature analysis on the internet. From this exercise, we found that, more than 14 million Ugandans have defects in their eyes and so need to visit an ophthalmologist however they find long queues due to a single yet bulky machine in use. As team The Bekaz, this compelled us to carry out research about the issue, the current solutions in use, with their limitations. We then used this information to design a portable low cost and easy-to-operate funduscope device that can be used to image the eye where various abnormalities and disorders like epiretinal membranes, macular holes and macular swelling (edema), age-related wet macular degeneration, high blood pressure, and diabetes among others can be diagnosed. Various tests for functionality and feasibility were carried out to analyze the device’s performance. The functionality test was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and resolution of the device. The user-interface test was performed with participants who were tasked to perform different tasks and provide feedback. All participants were able to complete the tasks however, some of them faced challenges while completing them and provided areas where improvement was needed such as the resolution and size of the device. Other tests performed included the weight test, which was performed by weighing the device using a weighing scale. The weight obtained was 100 grams. A dimensions test was performed using a measuring tape and dimensions were obtained as 10.5 cm x 6.5cm x7cm x0.9cm (length x width x height x thickness). The tests performed provided feedback about the performance of the fundusope device and comments were made in areas that need improvement for example the size of the device and the software component after which some necessary modifications were made to the device.