EPL On The Edge

On The Edge is a speaker series featuring cutting-edge research presented by scholars and researchers from Edmonton's academic community. Presented by the University of Alberta's Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), these sessions take place monthly at the Strathcona Library Branch. All are welcome to attend and explore the forefront of academic discovery with us!


Wrist and elbow Fracture detection: All you need is a cell phone and an ultrasound Probe

One of the most common reasons to visit the emergency room (ER) is arm injuries, especially wrist and elbow fractures.

Traditional diagnosis via radiographs requires a long visit to the ER, often waiting many hours to have x-rays performed with specialized equipment. Ultrasound, using portable and low-cost devices, has been shown to be successful in wrist and elbow fracture detection. However, ultrasound images can be tricky to interpret, and require expert analysis.

Therefore, we aim to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for the automatic diagnosis of wrist and elbow fractures. The AI will be integrated into a software app on Android phones/tablets, and validated in pediatric ER in Alberta.

By connecting a pocket-size ultrasound probe to a cell phone installed with our App, lightly trained users can use this portable tool to assess arm injuries, which will be a useful tool in rural and remote areas.

What if we could reduce ER visits to just those truly in need? With this tool, families could avoid unnecessary hospital trips, freeing up resources for urgent cases and ensuring timely, accessible care for kids in all communities—while potentially saving the healthcare system hundreds of millions each year.

In this presentation, we'll discuss how we're making a tool to meet the healthcare challenges we face today.

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. | Online (Zoom)

Register here

Headshot of presenter Lily Zhou

About the Presenter:

Lily Zhou is a PhD candidate at the Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta. Her research centers on developing and applying artificial intelligence in medical imaging for explainable accurate automatic diagnosis. Through her work, Lily aims to promote equitable and timely access to diagnostic care, particularly in underserved communities, helping to bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility and reduce costs with the help of AI-driven solutions. Currently, she is working on an explainable AI-driven app for automatic wrist and elbow fracture diagnosis using ultrasound images.


Contact Us

Jay Friesen, Ph.D.
Educational Curriculum Developer
Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Email: jayf@ualberta.ca