Agile software development for the development of an anal 3D-EMG neuromonitoring focusing on visualization of signal processing and development of a 3D representation for histological results (3D-EMG software)

Fecal incontinence (FI) is very stigmatizing, widespread and stressful. The causes are varied and the affected patient group is heterogeneous. FI occurs, for example, in children with malformations throughout their lives, in young previously healthy women after giving birth, geriatric patients or in middle-aged men and women after surgery or radiation on the colon or rectum. There is currently no diagnostic tool that can visually display the nerve supply to the anal canal. This means that every operation is performed without knowledge of the nerves that control continence. There are numerous possible applications for nerve diagnostics in the anal canal, e.g. for screening before perineal incisions during childbirth, for neurotoxicity monitoring of radiotherapy, during neurosurgical operations or in colon and rectal cancer surgery. The functionality of surface electromyography (EMG) to measure nerve signals in the anal canal has already been demonstrated. Despite its great relevance and fundamental feasibility, no medical product is yet available. The aim of the project is to improve the visualization of the nerve supply and to further develop the software.