Today we spent another fruitful morning at the AI stands.
We spoke with TeraRecon about their move into the AI marketplace with a platform that allows access to multiple algorithms from multiple providers. We also discussed new software releases for 2024 where they will launch a new CMR package with enhanced capabilities.
At Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, we viewed their AI enabled cardiac MR and CT packages available on a pay per click, subscription or floating licence agreement. They described easy PACS integration and enhanced workflow with reduced user clicks and automated processing in 20s (GPU) or 2 minutes (CPU) for the CMR package. Dr Timothy Albert, CMO, gave a great talk about the products at the AI theatre.
We caught up with some old colleagues at Collective Minds and MediMaps. We then spent time with the team at Flywheel. They provide an end to end data management and curation platform aimed at facilitating faster workflows in research and development.
After a Greek lunch at the conference dining facility, we signed out and headed for O'Hare airport to go our various ways.
In summary, there is no doubt AI is here to stay and looks set to make huge impacts on workflow efficiencies and reporter experiences. Whilst at Heathrow airport I was politely asked to move aside for an R2-D2 style floor cleaner that then thanked me for my cooperation and moved on. A little bit iRobot and slightly disconcerting. I do not see radiology AI replacing radiologists. I do see it assisting in the growing deficit between imaging growth and radiologist numbers.
So long Chicago and thank you for the memories, the networking opportunities, the knowledge expansion, the music and the pizza!
An early start today for a RadMD and Medica Group breakfast event at the British Consulate General’s residence in Chicago. The Consul General hosts events to promote UK and US business opportunities.
The event was very well attended with representatives from Sectra, Siemens, Annalise ai, RadMag, Takeda, PanCAD.ai, Lucida Medical, DeepTek, Cerebriu, Merck, Merck Kga, Therapixel, IDX, The Faculty of Radiology of Ireland, Pukka J, Terarecon, Reveal pharma, Qmenta, Reveal DX, i Sono, Medica UK and Ireland reporters, our UK exec team, US team and IK Partners. The Consul General, who’s brother is a radiologist, gave an overview of the work he does. Medica CEO Stuart Quin then gave an overview of Medica globally and our expansion in recent years. I gave a brief summary of opportunities and challenges in AI in practice and Dr Rick Patt of RadMD spoke of the opportunities that AI presented to research reporting.
Some excellent discussions ensued over breakfast as the sun rose over Lake Michigan. There are some fantastic opportunities in prostate MRI to streamline reporting. Pancreatic cancer can be hard to detect and PanCAD.ai are working to assist radiologists by detecting incidental or early pancreas tumours on CT.
There were lots of interesting conversations regarding the positioning of AI in radiology. Opportunities include data cleansing and homogenising, workflow optimisation, clinical detection assistance tools and report template generation among others. The important messages were to make sure you choose a tool to answer your specific question. Choosing the tool can be helped by test platform vendors such as CARPL.ai and multiple algorithm deployments can be managed by providers such as AiDOC and aggregators such as Blackford.
Later in the day we were treated to a future insight of Sectra PACS reporting with AI assisted patient imaging history summaries, free speech conversion to templated reports and upcoming developments in the radiology and pathology PACS systems.
The day was rounded off with an evening hosted by Sectra at a table tennis club, meeting reporters, UK clients and corporate representatives. We head into our last day at RSNA 2023 tomorrow.
From left: Kevin Terrins, Group Director of Corporate Development, Richard Jones, Group Chief Financial Officer, Dr Rob Lavis, Group Medical Director.
Day 1
The 109th RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting welcomes the Medica team.
This is my first time here and for those who have not been before, it is vast. McCormick Place is the largest conference facility in the US. Over 650 exhibitors, extensive learning opportunities with plenary and special sessions, modality and system sessions, educational exhibits and posters, a learning centre, case of the day and much more. There is plenty of opportunity to maintain your step count!!
This year sees a big focus on AI. Highlights of the AI vendor exhibition and AI Theatre included a tool from CoLumbo AI that generates an automated report of degenerative disc disease with quantitative disc bulge assessment and root impingement with nerve tracking. There are multiple newer providers and a lot of focus on aggregators of algorithms and customisable report production.
In the real world AI presentation from Qure clinical partners we heard that the qXR CXR tool produces sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 70%. A US centre applied the CARPL platform to assess several fracture detection tools in the real world resulting in a 30% reduction in turn around time for first reads by residents and prioritisation of positive exams.
The thrust of AI companies seems to be moving to aggregating algorithms on platforms and offering a suite of services.
So Day 1 over and feet not aching too much from walking the floors of the conference! But temperatures outside below zero with the odd snow flurry. Day 2 starts with a Medica/RadMD breakfast event. More of that tomorrow!
Dr. Kishore Gopalakrishnan - MedPath Clinical Director
Over the years, histopathology has become a less popular choice among junior doctors, partly due to limited exposure to laboratory services resulting from the modified medical curriculum. There is a notable shortage in various specialties, with some being more severely affected. Advances in screening, radiological imaging, and diagnostic sampling techniques have led to a growing workload in histopathology. Microscopic detailing requirements for pathology reports have significantly increased, and the use of minimum datasets for reporting has become a standard practice. Advances in molecular techniques and the resulting optimal treatment options have introduced a need for more information and additional testing on histopathology samples.
For these reasons, pathologists now spend more time on cases than in the past. Consequently, the pathologist workforce has struggled to keep up with the rising demand. Many pathology departments face backlogs of cases awaiting final reports. While the concept of expert pathologists remotely reporting histopathology cases from home has always been appealing, logistical challenges involving the distribution of glass slides and sensitive data have made it complex.
The emergence of digital telepathology, such as MedPath, has overcome these challenges. MedPath can receive digital pathology images nationwide and also provides a glass slide scanning service for non-digital departments. This facilitates the distribution of digital images to MedPath’s consultant histopathologists based in the UK, enabling quick and comprehensive reports that expedite patient diagnosis.
In my current role as Clinical Director for MedPath, I have been fortunate enough to contribute to the development of a new resilient, clinically-led histopathology reporting service. We provide sub-specialist reporting and this service offers flexible solutions to address NHS backlogs and routine reporting needs. Book your free no-obligation consultation to find out more.
Dr. Kishore Gopalakrishnan - MedPath Clinical Director
I entered the world of digital pathology in 2015, a solid 15 years after I had first looked down the eyepieces of a pathology microscope. It began, as these things usually do, by being approached by an enthusiastic pathologist colleague at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, keen to test a digital pathology reporting system and to attempt to study if it could replace a microscope.
Back then, it felt almost blasphemous, and I remember saying I’d assist with the study, but was certain the digital images wouldn’t be good enough! Jump ahead six months, and I was practically urging him to make sure digital pathology stuck around. I was really hoping the study results would back me up, and luckily, they did. So, I’ve been a digital histopathologist ever since!
I began working remotely from the department for one day a week, and the home setup and testing showed that this was feasible. When the pandemic began, the same digital setup was implemented for all pathologists in the department. This allowed histopathology to function well, even during periods of home isolation enforced by contact tracing.
Remote reporting through digital telepathology holds the potential to enhance productivity and support cancer waiting times. Commuting time is no longer a concern, and time is saved by not having to wait at home for the boiler engineer or take care of sick children. Prolonged use of microscopes is also linked to musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, back and upper extremities. While sitting in front of computer screens and using a keyboard and mouse for extended periods can also lead to certain musculoskeletal disorders, there are more ergonomic options available to counter these issues.
In my current role as Clinical Director for MedPath, I have been fortunate enough to contribute to the development of a new resilient, clinically-led histopathology reporting service. We provide sub-specialist reporting and this service offers flexible solutions to address NHS backlogs and routine reporting needs. Book your free no-obligation consultation to find out more.
