The aim of the research project is to develop an intelligent diagnosis tool for comprehensive assessment of peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar; about 50% of diabetic patients develop neuropathy. Tingling and numbness in the extremities are common in neuropathy and the condition continues to get worse if not diagnosed and treated early on. Vibration Perception Test by neurothesiometer have been used in the assessment of diabetic neuropathy for a number of years but the cut-off for definition of neuropathy within different age groups remained un-established. This research aims to establish possible correlations with age and body composition with neuropathy. To start with, a simple platform based weighing scales-like equipment with a vibrating plate will be developed with varying amplitude. The subject can stand on this platform mimicking the neurothesiometer as the cut off for sensation, above which one would have neuropathy. The weight of patient would change the reproducibility of the device which would need to be intelligently incorporated to be able to adjust for age, height and weight to results. This would enable classifying patients as ‘good sensation’ or ‘poor sensation’ to conduct confirmatory tests for evaluating the equipment and to make it more clinically valid and robust. This can be later enhanced with temperature and pain threshold perception with an advanced user interface to deliver a comprehensive assessment tool for neuropathy. We intend to design an integrated system that can objectively assess and able to make subjective predication of onset of neuropathy based on expert patient information.

In order to deliver this, novel approaches in stimulation technology supported by intelligent inference engine need to be developed that may increase reliability, reduce cost and enhance patient’s care in the health sector. The proposed design will ensure that it provides accurate assessment of neuropathy backed by intelligent patient history for early diagnosis. The timeliness of this project could not be over emphasized as the population of diabetic patients is growing at an alarming rate without being diagnosed for peripheral neuropathy and leading to amputations. This project will also benefit from the collaborative research being conducted on Parkinson’s disease with Columbia University (USA). Our team has a wide range of expertise in the proposed areas and we wish to employ our knowledge for improving the quality of life of people who may be at the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy due to the lack of a suitable diagnosis tool.

What does the funded studentship include?

Funded candidates will receive a maintenance grant of £14,000 per annum, to cover their living expenses and have their fees waived for 36 months. In addition, research costs, including field work and conference attendance, will be met.

Eligibility criteria

All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2:1) and/or an appropriate Master’s degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

How to apply

Please complete the Research Degree Application Form and submit it together with your supporting documents via email to Naomi Bailey (scitechresearch<στο>bournemouth.ac.uk). Further information can be found at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/phd2014.