Multi-spectral imaging for early diagnosis for necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease in preterm infants, with high mortality rates and limited early diagnostic tools. A multispectral camera was designed to support early detection of NEC in preterm infants. This device uses eight LEDs ranging from 400nm to 1000nm to illuminate the target and captures reflected light from the infraumbilical region. It is non-invasive, free of ionising radiation and does not require direct contact with the patient, making it suitable as a continuous bed-side monitoring solution in a neonatal intensive care unit. Measurements are performed on phantoms and an animal model with NEC to verify its performance for the diagnosis of NEC.