Up to £240,000 is being made available for organisations exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in fracture diagnosis.

NHS Scotland performs around 5,000 X-rays of upper and lower limbs annually, and although injuries in these areas are often categorised as minor, misdiagnosis and mismanagement can hamper recovery and lead to financial cost.

An Innovate UK Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, with funding from Opportunity North East and NHS Scotland, will investigate the use of AI can be used to support limb radiographs in the diagnosis of fractures. Possible improvements include diagnosis accuracy and treatment and increased productivity in radiology departments.

Projects must use a dataset of peripheral limb X-rays and reports from the University of Aberdeen to develop AI algorithms that: interpret the current text-based report to correctly categorise fractures; use radiograph images to identify the presence of fractures; and ensure the AI product can function at real-world accuracy.

Successful applicants will receive input from NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the University of Aberdeen and Canon Medical Research Europe.

The competition will comprise two phases. In phase one, applicants will conduct technical feasibility studies on their proposed solution. Up to £100,000 is available, with as many as five projects expected to be funded.

Phase two will include prototype development and evaluation, with up to £140,000 available at this stage.

The competition opens on 20 May and the deadline for registration is on 24 July. Organisations of any size may apply, with a briefing event held in Aberdeen on 27 June.

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