AI-based Retinal Image Analysis for the Risk of Autism and Global Developmental Delay in Preschoolers
Overview
Our AI-based Automatic Retinal Image Analysis (ARIA) system detects Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD) risks in preschoolers with over 90% accuracy. ARIA evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and helps identify effective personalized approaches that build confidence and nurture talents. By doing so, we transform children with special needs into children with special talents.
Technical name of innovation
Automatic Retinal Image Analysis (ARIA) - Risk Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD) in Preschoolers
Commercialisation opportunities
Exclusive Licensing
Problem addressed
Approximately 317 million young people globally have developmental disabilities, including 168 million with ASD. Diagnosing ASD and GDD is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary team and multiple lengthy assessments. Additionally, long average waiting times for diagnosis often lead to delayed intervention. ARIA offers quick, objective, and accurate assessments to address these challenges, enabling timely and effective interventions which nurture their talents.
Innovation
- ARIA is the first-of-its-kind technology in Hong Kong that uses retinal images to identify preschoolers at high risk of ASD and GDD.
- Research indicates that over 60% of individuals with autism have special isolated talents. ARIA promotes identifying and nurturing these talents in children with ASD, helping them develop exceptional skills and grow into confident adults who contribute society with their distinctive talents.
Key impact
- ARIA serves as a fast and convenient assessment tool readily used in community settings, enabling the early identification of preschoolers at high risk of ASD and GDD.
- ARIA helps identify personalized and suitable interventions that build confidence and nurture the talents of children with special needs, transforming them into children with special talents.
- ARIA is cost-effective and objective, not requiring professionals for analysis.
- ARIA helps families of children with ASD recognize that ASD is not merely hurdles; they are also opportunities to identify and nurture their remarkable talents.
Award
- Gold Medal with the Congratulations of the Jury, International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024
- Special Prize of the Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA), International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024
Application
- ARIA can be widely used in community settings to identify preschoolers at high risk of ASD or GDD early.
- ARIA can be used to continually monitor the effectiveness of interventions.
- ARIA encourages high-risk preschoolers to identify personalized and suitable interventions early on, building their confidence and nurturing their talents.
Patent
- Method and device for retinal image analysis (US8787638B2; CN103458772; TWI578977)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, and it is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong with recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize sitting as faculty in residence. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network. CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas, and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry.
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