PhD Study : Robotics and AI Technologies for Heart Health Screening

Summary

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a very serious heart condition which may lead to potentially life-threatening or debilitating strokes. Early identification of AF can reduce secondary complications such as stroke and the need for hospitalisation, which can be as high as 40% in AF patients, presenting a major burden on the NHS. Electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement devices for personal use, which could assist in early identification of AF, have come on the market recently. To date these devices have failed to make a significant dent in atrial fibrillation problems, primarily due to high cost and limited analysis capabilities. In addition, they have further exposed the social divide, with poorer income households (who perversely are more likely to suffer ill-health) unable to afford them.

This PhD project will develop the underpinning technology for a future network of community Intelligent HeartHubs. These would provide automated acquisition of ECG traces and screening for common heart conditions, through the use of 6-lead ECGs coupled with artificial intelligence. Whilst an initial analysis would be performed, results of the ECG traces and screening analysis would be communicated directly to a cardiac consultant. HeartHubs would be automated, walk-in modules, located in shopping malls, chemists, community centres. A HeartHub would enable early intervention, reduce the load on GPs and hospital clinicians and address social inequality in health technology.

This PhD project is solely focussed on the development of the required underpinning robotics and AI technologies to enable a HeartHub to become a reality. It  will exploit expert medical expertise, existing healthcare technology (e.g. KardiaMobile 6L ECG device ), modern robotics and automation algorithms for interactions with the HeartHub user and ECG device,  and artificial intelligence for detailed ECG traces and user/community data analytics (well beyond what is currently available, via for example the Apple Watch 6).

PhD Research Challenges

*Development of a cognitive robotic system for interactions between the user, proposed HeartHub, and heart monitoring device. It will develop video, tactile and auditory modalities for ECG device placement (on a user’s ankle or knee); human robot interaction technologies; interpretation of user-robot verbal communications and utilisation of the robot in cleaning/ infection control. Normal healthy adults will be utilised for the robotics human-robot interaction research in this PhD;

*Development of customised AI algorithms to perform automatic analysis of 6 lead ECG traces to identify normal cardiac sinus rhythm, brachycardia, tachycardia or AF, cardiac axis. Etc. Public ECG datasets , will be utilised, so there will be no requirement for interaction with subjects suffering from heart conditions in this PhD work. These may be supplemented with local ECG traces after ethics approval.

External Collaborations: Research will be firmly grounded in clinical need and is cross disciplinary (linking to the Stratified Medicine Centre/C-TRIC). Links to Major Projects: The project supports major developments at Ulster including CARL, CIDRA and the Medical School.

PhD Student: will have a strong interest in the intersection of robotics, AI and health technologies and will graduate with a diverse and very marketable set of skills.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Applicants will be shortlisted if they have an average of 75% or greater in a first (honours) degree (or a GPA of 8.75/10). For applicants with a first degree average in the range of 70% to 74% (GPA 3.3): If they are undertaking an Masters, then the average of their first degree marks and their Masters marks will be used for shortlisting.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living