Ataxia Instrumented Measurement Systems - AIMs
The AIMS is a medical-grade, robust, objective and ecological valid outcome measure of ataxia and balance. It has been developed by Deakin University’s Networked Sensing & Biomedical Engineering (NSBE) Lab, in partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, initially for the quantitative assessment of Friedreich ataxia an inherited neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder. The use of the AIMs is currently being extended to capture neurological deficits associated with another rare ataxia, Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA).
Ataxia Instrumented Measurement Systems - AIMs
380mAh Battery
Module PCBA
PCBA
PCBA
Pressure Sensor
400mAh Battery
PCBA
400mAh Battery
AIM-Pendant (AIM-P) uses kinematic sensors, machine learning, and cloud computing to objectively assess ataxia by measuring upright stability and truncal balance.
This work was supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) under the Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) Program.
AIM-Spoon (AIM-S) captures kinematic movements to objectively quantify ataxia using machine learning and cloud computing while engaging in activities of daily life (self-feeding).
AIM-Cup (AIM-C) captures kinetic and kinematic movements engaging in activities of daily life (self-drinking).
BioKin Mobile Application
DATA RETRIEVAL
Lambda function retrieves the data via an API call to display on the app
DATA COLLECTION
Capture data from the sensor
STORAGE
Processed data is stored in RDS-hosted MySQL database
DATA TRANSFER
Data is sent to AWS though API Gateway which triggers a Lambda function
DATA TRANSFER
Lambda sends the data to SageMaker for anlaysis
Use of AIMS Devices in Clinical Trials
The efficacy of rehabilitation on motor function in individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia. A randomised controlled trial
Non-Interventional Study: Friedreich Ataxia Global Clinical Consortium UNIFIED Natural History Study (UNIFAI)
Applicability to clinical trials
Trial Flexibility
Customised use for adult clinical trials both in the clinic and home setting.
Compliance
Data loggers built to ISO standards
Efficient Manufacturing
Streamlined device manufacture process.
IRB Expertise
Experience in IRB requirements
Across Disease Stages
Facilitates measurement across the disease trajectory regardless of age and stage of disease severity.
Data Security
Privacy and security – allocation of unique ID; all data stored and in-transit in AWS cloud and outside aligned with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Global Deployment
Experienced delivery of AIMs system to international sites
Validated Metrics
Established psychometric properties
Real-Time Scoring
Delivery of an ataxia severity score in real time.
User Support
Personalized training/videos/user guide in place
Inventors
Expert in biomedical sensing, motion capture, and machine learning for neurological disorders. Lead developer of AIMS and BioKin™, used in global clinical trials.
Neurologist and neurophysiologist, co-developer of the AIM system and creator of the globally adopted Parkinson’s Kinetigraph (PKG), backed by six international patents.
Cognitive neuroscientist with 20+ years’ focus on Friedreich ataxia. Develops clinical and instrumented measures for trials and care, and led the Friedreich Ataxia Clinical Management Guidelines.
Neurologist, Neuro-otologist and medical researcher. His clinical and research interests include diseases of the cerebellum, vestibular system and the combination of the two.
AIMs in Practice
AIMs Research Partners Australia
AIMs is used in major international natural history studies across 14 sites in North America, United Kingdom, Europe and Oceania—including leading institutions like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) USA; Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Melbourne, Australia; Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital Rome, Italy; Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic; McGill University, Montreal Canada; UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.
FAQ
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What is AIMS and how does it work?The Ataxia Instrumented Measurement System (AIMS) is a set of smart, sensor-enabled tools that objectively measure movement abnormalities associated with ataxia. Using wearable devices embedded with motion sensors and IoT technology, AIMS captures kinetic and kinematic data during specific tasks and sends it via a mobile app to a cloud platform for real-time analysis.
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What types of movement disorders can AIMS assess?AIMS is designed primarily for cerebellar ataxias, especially Friedreich ataxia. It is also being extended for conditions like DRPLA and CANVAS that affect balance and coordination.
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How is data from the devices processed?Data is collected via Bluetooth, transmitted to the AIMS app, and sent securely to a cloud server. Machine learning algorithms analyze the data to generate severity scores, which are displayed in real time.
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Where can I view results from the devices?Results are available in real-time through the AIMS mobile app, and summaries can be accessed via the cloud dashboard for authorized users.
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What is Friedreich ataxia, and how does AIMS help?Friedreich ataxia is a degenerative genetic disorder affecting coordination and movement. The AIMS system provides an ecologically valid, objective tracking of disease progression across the disease trajectory, critical for clinical assessment and monitoring therapeutic response.
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Can AIMS be used for other disorders?Yes. AIMS is currently being extended for broader neurological applications, including DRPLA and other hereditary ataxias.
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Is AIMS used in clinical trials?Yes. AIMS is being used in major international trials such as: UNIFAI Natural History Study (https://www.curefa.org/clinical-studies/friedreich-ataxia-global-clinical-consortium-unified-natural-history-study-unifai/) DRPLA Biomarker Study (https://curedrpla.org/en/ ) The efficacy of rehabilitation on motor function in individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia. A randomised controlled trial (https://www.anzctr.org.au/)
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Who can use AIMS?The AIMS are designed for use in the clinic or home setting by clinicians, researchers and trained clinical trial coordinators. The AIMs could potentially also be used remotely in the home setting by trained carers and/or support personnel.
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What ages can the AIMs be used in?The AIMs devices are suitable for use in participants aged from 4 years and up.
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Do I need to use all the devices in the AIMs suite or can I just use one?You can use all three devices or tailor the use of just one device to the requirements of your trial. Each of the AIMs devices provide an ataxia severity score.