Jean Ouellet is a paediatric and adult spine surgeon at McGill University in Canada. Renowned for his innovative approach to spinal deformity treatment, he is also co-founder of Momentum Health, a company dedicated to revolutionising the monitoring and quantification of spinal conditions such as scoliosis.
Under Dr Ouellet’s leadership, Momentum Health has developed an iPhone application Momentum Spine that creates digital twins of patients. This technology leverages advanced digital imaging and AI to predict spinal deformities from external body images.
A non-invasive alternative to traditional X-rays, it aims to minimise the high radiation exposure associated with repeated scans.
He explains: ‘With Momentum Spine, we set out to redefine how we monitor and quantify spinal deformities, such as scoliosis. We developed this new application that uses a regular iPhone to capture and create a digital twin of patients. We can predict the spiral deformity or the Cobb angle using advanced digital imaging and AI. So, essentially, we’re using the outside of the body to predict what’s happening on the inside.’
The app can also track young girls with scoliosis.
He says, ‘A dilemma that we have is that many of the girls (or boys) who have spinal deformities face multiple X-rays to a certain degree. These X-rays are what we are currently using to quantify the deformity. The problem with that is that these recurrent X-rays have significant radiation.
‘A recent study was published in 2020 in the Journal of Spine that showed that patients who had a diagnosis of scoliosis had 1.5 increased chances of dying from cancer. So, the goal of this technology is to avoid having repetitive X-rays. It also allows frequent monitoring, so the families can scan at home and monitor their child’s deformity without having to see the physician or get an X-ray.’
Physicians can remotely access these scans and intervene when necessary, optimising patient care and minimising radiation exposure.
Momentum Health’s innovative approach garnered significant recognition when they won a competition held by the AO Tech Transfer Commission nearly two years ago. This victory facilitated investment from AO, propelling the company’s growth.
Now, with Health Canada approval and FDA clearance, the technology is deployed in 13 hospitals across North America and two in Europe, with ongoing research and pilot programmes.
Dr Ouellet envisions a future where this technology extends beyond spinal deformities. He aims to replace traditional X-rays for other musculoskeletal pathologies, including lower limb and cranial deformities.
He concludes: ‘We see this new technology as a medical imaging technology that will not only be limited to the spine. We’re moving into the adult spinal world, and then hopefully, we’ll look at lower limb deformities, malalignment deformities and cranial deformities.’
With an overarching goal to bring medical care closer to patients, he hopes the radiation-free remote screening and monitoring tool will enable physicians to assess conditions actively. At the same time, it reduces the adverse effects of repeated radiation exposure for patients.
For more information visit https://momentum.health/
Photo caption - The Momentum Health team (left to right): Leander Goor (Co-CTO), Philippe Miller (CEO), Frank de Wijk (CTO), Evan Dimentberg (COO), and Jean Ouellet, chief medical officer (CMO).
