Detection of Retinal Hemorrhage on Head CT Using Deep Learning in Young Children
The Problem
Retinal hemorrhage is clinically important in evaluating possible abusive head trauma, but it's rarely identified on routine CT interpretation — the reference standard, dilated ophthalmologic exam, isn't always accessible. Head-CT AI is already crowded for intracranial hemorrhage, leaving this specific finding undetected on a scan already being acquired. And even a strong algorithm stays commercially inert without DICOM/PACS/EHR integration, AI governance, and a regulated deployment pathway — infrastructure no single academic team builds alone.
The Solution
A patented AI workflow (U.S. Patent App. 18/421,718, Notice of Allowance received) that segments pediatric ocular globes from axial head CT, normalizes orientation, and applies deep learning to estimate retinal hemorrhage likelihood per eye — using CT data already acquired, no additional imaging required. UTRF is offering an exclusive or non-exclusive license to an imaging-AI platform, CT OEM, or enterprise-imaging company to pair this algorithm with existing infrastructure and carry it through reproducibility confirmation, multi-site validation, workflow definition, engineering, and regulatory strategy.
Benefits
| Benefit |
|---|
| No new imaging or hardware — runs on CT scans already acquired |
| Flags a clinically important finding radiologists often don't catch on routine CT |
| Actionable output: triggers expedited ophthalmology review, not a diagnosis |
| Fits directly into existing PACS, worklist, and enterprise triage platforms |
| Differentiated indication in a crowded head-CT AI market |
| Peer-reviewed foundation (JAMA Network Open) with defined performance metrics |
| Clear, scoped path to product: validation, regulatory, and engineering needs already identified |
| Useful where pediatric ophthalmology access is limited |
More Information
- Tulika Rastogi
- Assistant Technology Manager
- 901-448-7825 | trastogi@tennessee.edu
- UTRF Reference ID: 23073-05
- Patent Status: Patent Pending
Innovators
Nadeem Shafi
Professor, College of Medicine, Pediatrics, Peds Critical Care.
Dr. Nadeem Shafi is a physician specializing in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine with expertise in traumatic brain injury and critical care innovation. He is actively involved in clinical research, has co-authored 10 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and is the inventor of a patented medical technology. His work focuses on developing practical, evidence-based solutions that address unmet need...
Dr. Nadeem Shafi is a physician specializing in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine with expertise in traumatic b...
