FACIAL.ME - an artificial intelligence plataform for facial paralysis patients

Abstract

Every year, about 80,000 Brazilians suffer Facial Paralysis. Patients who are not treated right away think that nothing more can be done to improve their facial movements, and that they will have sequels forever. There are currently no open access technological solutions where patients with facial paralysis can easily obtain information, anticipate the outcomes of their treatments and be guided in the therapeutic rehabilitation process. The main objective of FACIAL.ME is to create a digital platform to support clinical teams and guide patients with facial paralysis during the facial rehabilitation process. To test the technical-scientific feasibility of FACIAL.ME, we will begin during Phase I PIPE a proof of concept with a set of ~ 50 patients. To prepare this proof of concept, PIPE I will have three main activities: 1) Identify and test the use of patient-reported outcome measurements and imaging techniques using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for self-monitoring of patients with paralysis ; 2) create a product prototype that is portable and secure using agile development methodology; 3) build and test the prototype in conjunction with patients and clinical staff (user-centered design). The expected results for the execution of this project are: after 9 months, obtain a solution that is currently non-existent in the market, tested and co-validated with end users, that can be launched in the market; testing of an innovative AI technology for use by patients with facial paralysis; scale-up of the solution with third-party external investment; production of scientific articles on the use of AI in the monitoring of patients with facial paralysis and on the process of application co-creation for patients with facial paralysis based on the user-centered design methodology. (AU)