RSNA Annual Meeting Kicks Off with AI Taking Center Stage

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that the 104th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) was held at McCormick Place in Chicago, USA, on November 25, 2018, Eastern Time. RSNA is an international non-profit organization with more than 54,000 members across 136 countries worldwide. The annual RSNA meeting is regarded as the largest and most authoritative radiology conference globally, attracting hundreds of medical institutions and suppliers, including internationally renowned companies such as Samsung Electronics, Royal Philips, and Varex.

Image source: RSNA official website

This year’s RSNA Annual Meeting focused on artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and virtual reality, with AI emerging as the hottest topic of discussion. VCBeat promptly covered this major medical event, compiling and translating information on prominent companies, their latest technologies, and key presentations. Below is a curated selection of content compiled and translated by VCBeat from international sources.

This year’s hot topic is artificial intelligence. As a leader in medical imaging technology, Samsung Electronics spared no effort in showcasing its strength in this field. Samsung set up a dedicated “AI Zone” at its booth to make it easier for visitors to learn about its AI technologies.

Samsung showcased several AI-based diagnostic imaging software solutions:

1. S-Detect for Ultrasound Systems. S-Detect is an AI-powered software for women's health monitoring that analyzes breast lesions using ultrasound images. Studies have shown that this technology can improve the diagnostic accuracy of clinicians with four years or less of experience from 0.83 to 0.87. Currently, this software has been integrated into Samsung’s proprietary radiology ultrasound systems.

2. Digital X-ray SimGrid. Leveraging AI technology, the product’s “bone suppression function” reduces bone signals in chest X-ray images, thereby clearly revealing lung tissue obscured by bones.

3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology. Leveraging artificial intelligence, Samsung is developing a technology to visualize knee cartilage thickness and generate imaging for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The product currently exists only as a demonstration prototype and has not yet entered the market.

Samsung will also host a seminar to demonstrate how its image processing technology enhances diagnostic accuracy and promotes radiation safety for pediatric patients.

“We have accelerated our pace of innovation, with 70% of our imaging diagnosis product portfolio updated in the past two years,” said Philips CEO Robert at the conference.

Philips showcased its series of technological innovations in imaging systems, software applications, and services at RSNA 2018. These included Philips’ radiology technology IntelliSpace Discovery 3.0, the Ingenia Ambition 1.5T MR magnetic resonance imaging system, and the intelligent software product Pinnacle Evolution.

The author of the Global Energy Media website has categorized and organized it as follows:

1. AI for Radiology—IntelliSpace Discovery 3.0. IntelliSpace Discovery is a validated research platform designed to support radiologists in conducting clinical and translational research. It is currently utilized by more than 50 hospitals and academic institutions for developing radiology applications. With the launch of version 3.0, the platform now provides radiologists with research applications and tools to aggregate, standardize, and anonymize data. These data support visualization and can be applied to deep learning algorithms. Deployed as plug-in applications within healthcare professionals’ workflows, these algorithms analyze new datasets and help facilitate clinical research in radiology, oncology, neurology, and cardiology.

2. Reducing Care Costs and Improving Efficiency—Ingenia Ambition 1.5T MR. Philips’ Ingenia Ambition 1.5T MR represents the latest advancement in its Ingenia MRI product portfolio. This portfolio includes fully digital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, medical informatics solutions, and a comprehensive range of maintenance and lifecycle services. It incorporates Philips’ Compressed SENSE technology, which increases the system’s operational speed by 50%.

Ingenia Ambition also adopts Philips’ groundbreaking BlueSeal fully sealed magnet technology, making it the world’s first MR system to operate without helium.

Enhancing Patient Experience – DigitalDiagnost C90. The DigitalDiagnost C90 is a new high-end ceiling-mounted digital radiography system launched by Philips. Its Eleva Tube Head touchscreen display shifts operational controls into the examination room, enabling a more patient-centric workflow.

Improving Health Outcomes—Pinnacle Evolution. Pinnacle Evolution is the next-generation product in Philips’ Pinnacle treatment planning software suite and its first solution characterized by personalized treatment planning, enabling clinicians to rapidly create high-quality, patient-specific treatment plans.

Meanwhile, Philips also highlighted the economic benefits of its IQon Elite Spectral CT system. Research data shows that this technology can improve hospital efficiency by reducing the number of follow-up scans, enable certain patient groups to receive lower doses of contrast agents, reduce X-ray radiation dose, and accelerate diagnostic turnaround time.

“We are at the forefront of imaging innovation, striving to continuously define the technological landscape to maintain our competitive edge and strengthen our position as the most innovative and cost-effective provider of X-ray imaging components,” said Sunny Sanyal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Varex Imaging Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Varex”).

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Varex is an innovator in the field of X-ray imaging components, with its main products including X-ray tubes, digital detectors, and other image processing solutions.

On the 25th, Varex announced that it will showcase a new digital detector technology platform at RSNA, featuring improved performance and cost-effectiveness. In the field of X-ray imaging, Varex is investing in innovation to enable OEMs to manufacture lighter systems with fewer moving and rotating parts, which the company believes will significantly enhance product speed, performance, and cost-efficiency.

On the first day of the RSNA 2018 annual meeting, United Imaging Healthcare (hereinafter referred to as UIH), a global leader in the manufacturing of medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, announced its formal entry into the U.S. market. Specific initiatives include establishing a U.S. headquarters and a manufacturing facility in the United States.

The newly established U.S. team is composed of seasoned professionals who will deliver customer-centric services to meet the specific needs of the local market. It is reported that UHI’s North American operations are led by Dr. Jeffrey M. Bundy, CEO of the company’s Imaging business. With over 20 years of industry experience, Dr. Bundy has held various positions across sales, marketing, and R&D departments. He has served as the Global CEO of UHI’s Imaging business since 2011.

UIM was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China, with subsidiaries and R&D centers in the United States and other regions worldwide. The company develops and manufactures globally advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, and provides healthcare IT and intelligent solutions. Currently, UIM employs over 3,200 people worldwide, nearly half of whom are researchers.

Ziehm Imaging (hereinafter referred to as “Ziehm”), an expert in mobile X-ray imaging technology, unveiled the industry’s first comprehensive CMOS product portfolio at this year’s RSNA Annual Meeting. The lineup ranges from compact mini C-arms to high-end, powerful systems, including the company’s flagship Ziehm Vision RFD 3D, the Ziehm Vision RFD Hybrid Edition, and the compact C-arm Ziehm Solo FD.

Leveraging 12 years of expertise in 3D imaging, Ziehm has incorporated advanced CMOS technology into the Ziehm Vision RFD 3D, integrating 2D and 3D capabilities to enable superior intraoperative control. This makes the mobile C-arm highly suitable for high-end orthopedic, trauma, spinal, and highly specialized maxillofacial surgeries. Its sibling product, the Ziehm Vision RFD Hybrid Edition, is the first fully electric mobile C-arm with OR hybrid capabilities, offering a more space- and cost-efficient alternative.

Another Ziehm Usability Concept introduced by Ziehm is a combination of hardware and software features that can improve the efficiency of healthcare providers in communication and workflow. As part of the Ziehm Usability Concept, the new Articulating Monitor Arm will also be showcased at this conference. It is a monitor mounted on a cart that can move in multiple directions, providing clinicians with the most ergonomic viewing angle.

Perspectum Diagnostics (hereinafter referred to as “Perspectum”), a company based in Oxford, UK, showcased its latest version of LiverMultiScan and its newest product, MRCP+, at the conference. The company also set up two dedicated reading rooms to demonstrate its latest quantitative biomarkers for liver and hepatobiliary diseases.

The company’s QIRR (011) technology demonstrates quantitative analysis of liver tissue using multiparametric MRI (a technique supporting multiple liver scans). The latest version of this technology is scheduled for release in early next year, enabling radiologists to access state-of-the-art PDF-based methods for hepatic fat quantification.

RSNA Annual Meeting, one of the premier events in the medical field each year, brings together the world’s leading healthcare institutions and cutting-edge technologies. The conference is scheduled to run from November 25 to November 30, 2018. During this period, more than 700 healthcare institutions and companies from around the globe will deliver diverse thematic presentations, product demonstrations, and speeches. VCBeat will continue to closely monitor developments in this field and provide follow-up coverage throughout the event.