Michigan researchers see pain

University of Michigan researchers have developed technology to help clinicians “see” and map patient pain in real-time, through special augmented reality (AR) glasses.

Using the portable CLARAi (clinical AR and artificial intelligence) platform to combine visualisation with brain data, which uses neuroimaging to navigate through a patient’s brain, researchers could see and map pain triggered by administering cold to the teeth of dental patients.

Participants wore a sensor-outfitted cap that detected changes to blood flow and oxygenation, measuring brain activity and responses to pain. Wearing special AR glasses, researchers then viewed brain activity in real time on a reconstructed brain template whilst the subject sat in the chair.

The technology was tested on 21 volunteer dental patients and published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. Study lead, Associate Professor Alex Da Silva, said the system is years away from widespread use in a clinical setting, but the feasibility study proved a good first step.