Maack continues: “In addition, there are no standard interfaces with which trained networks can be handled, loaded and used. But also when there are uncertainties in the data layers; be it training data sets or models used; there are no standardised guidelines for how medical professionals should deal with that.”

Such uncertainties occur, for example, with lesions. During a stroke, certain areas of the brain are no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen, or not at all, due to the blockage of vessels in the brain. They are no longer able to work efficiently. The core of the lesion is often easy to recognise, but at the edge there is usually no clear demarcation and regions where even doctors cannot agree whether they should be classified as a lesion or not. Ultimately, what is needed here is medical experience on how to deal with these issues.


This is where the focus of Gillmann and Maack's work starts. Their team is currently developing a uniform system for processing and evaluating medical image data and visualising their uncertainties. The system is called GUARDIAN. The researchers have designed their technology in such a way that it is easy to use. “Clinics can load their trained neural networks and combine them with the processed data provided, for example, in the case of a stroke”.

The system evaluates the data and visualises the results. “This happens automatically, without the need for IT knowledge,” Maack explains. “In addition, our method also shows the uncertainties.” This means that the doctors can look at them again and, if necessary, make a joint decision on what is the best treatment in an individual case, for example.

The two computer scientists will be presenting their technology at the fair. The system is freely available as an open-source application.

The “Visualization and Human Computer Interaction” working group of Professor Dr. Christoph Garth at University Kaiserslautern-Landau has been researching for a long time to prepare data from imaging procedures for medicine in such a way that it can be used simply and reliably in everyday clinical practice.

Klaus Dosch, Department for Transfer, Innovation and Sustainability, is organizing the presentation of the researchers of the RPTU Kaiserslautern at the Medica. He is the contact partner for companies and, among other things, establishes contacts to science.


About RPTU
Since January 1, 2023, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TUK, University of Kaiserslautern) and the University in Landau have become the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). With over 20,000 students and more than 300 professors, the RPTU is the second largest academic institution in the state. As a place of top international research and an academic talent factory for business and science, RPTU offers excellent study and research conditions as well as a cosmopolitan environment. RPTU is also an innovation and transfer partner for politics, business and society. Those who study, learn, research or work at RPTU are part of a vibrant university community and shape the world of tomorrow.

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