SPINA — New Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for the Predictive Diagnosis of Spinal Disorders

The SPINA project aims to develop artificial intelligence-based software capable of accurately estimating the position and orientation of the spine using a noninvasive 3D scan of the back, reducing the need for repeated X-ray examinations and the associated exposure to ionizing radiation. The system builds upon SPINE 3D, a rasterstereography device already marketed by Sensor Medica, in which anatomical landmarks are currently identified manually by an operator. Artificial intelligence will make this identification automatic, objective, and repeatable, enabling the calculation of lengths, inclination angles, and spinal curvatures while supporting the predictive diagnosis of spinal disorders.

A distinguishing feature of the project is the metrological validation of the entire system. Hardware, software, and AI models will be evaluated in terms of accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and measurement uncertainty, including the clinical parameters used for diagnosis and monitoring (such as scoliosis and lordosis angles), aspects that have not yet been documented for rasterstereographic systems. The models will be trained on a database developed using data from individuals undergoing X-ray examinations for clinical reasons, combining radiographic images with rasterstereographic acquisitions without any additional radiation exposure. The project aims to advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 7, culminating in system verification in a real-world operational environment at a clinical facility.

The project consortium consists of Sensor Medica S.r.l., serving as the lead partner; the University of Tuscia – DEIM, participating as a research organization; and Niccolò Cusano University – Department of Engineering, participating as a research organization and consortium partner.

Upon completion of the project, a new instrument for static 3D analysis of the spine and trunk will be available, integrating hardware and software with metrologically validated AI models, accompanied by the technical documentation required for subsequent industrialization. SPINA is designed as a modular and scalable software platform that can be extended to other hardware systems and applications in the future, such as dynamic spinal analysis during walking.

Project Information

SPINA — New Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for the Predictive Diagnosis of Spinal Disorders.
Duration: 24 months
Project co-funded by the European Union under the public call “STEP Lazio – Support for the Development and Manufacturing of Critical Technologies” – Lazio ERDF Regional Program 2021–2027, approved by Administrative Decision No. G08307 of June 30, 2025, and awarded funding by Administrative Decision No. G05594, published in the Official Bulletin of the Lazio Region (BURL) No. 35 of April 30, 2026.
CUP: F91B26000060006.
CUP_UNITUS: J83C26000470002
Total eligible project cost: €854,713.20.
Funding awarded: €549,244.32.
UNITUS Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Stefano Rossi