Sham Sokka, CTO/COO of DeepHealth, in a new episode of The Imaging Wire Show.

DeepHealth launched in late 2023 with the vision of giving radiologists access to multiple imaging IT tools under a single umbrella, including viewer, RIS, and AI algorithms. In this edition of The Imaging Wire Show, get an introduction to DeepHealth from CTO/COO Sham Sokka and learn about the company’s take on AI, screening, and more.

Imaging Wire Sponsors

Bayer  •  Blackford  •  CARPL.ai  •  Clearpath  •  DeepHealth  •  Enlitic  •  Gleamer  •  Intelerad  •  Medality  •  Merge by Merative  •  Nuance  •  PocketHealth  •  Riverain Technologies  •  Siemens Healthineers  •  SpinTech MRI  •  TeraRecon  •  United Imaging  •  Us2.ai  •  Visage Imaging

Technologists

RTs and Radiation Dose

There’s good news and bad news from a new study in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology that tracks 40 years of occupational radiation dose to radiologic technologists who assist with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. The good news is that radiation dose is low and trending lower over time; the bad news is that dose to RTs can vary based on work setting. 

As we discussed last month, interventional radiology has delivered major benefits in patient care, replacing invasive surgery for many clinical applications. 

• But the downside of interventional procedures is that they are performed for extended periods under fluoroscopy guidance, and more complex procedures are requiring longer times with the fluoro beam on – potentially leading to more radiation exposure. 

Researchers from the NIH wanted to investigate how changes in interventional use over the past 40 years affected occupational radiation dose exposure to RTs, while also looking at the impact of radiation exposure control methods. 

• They reviewed records from 1980 to 2020, starting with RTs participating in the US Radiologic Technologists (USRT) research study who they then linked to data submitted to radiation dosimeter badge maker Landauer. 

In all, 19.7k RTs who reported assisting with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures over the study period were included, with researchers finding … 

• Median annual radiation dose of 0.65 mSv, well below the occupational limit of 20 mSv
• Median doses were highest in the 1980s and decreased over time, reflecting greater awareness of patient radiation dose and better radiation protection gear
• A second peak in radiation dose happened from 1999-2011, most likely due to more sensitive dosimeters
• RTs who worked closer to patients (<3 feet) had higher median annual dose, at 1.20 mSv
• RTs who reported assisting with ≥ 20 procedures per month had higher dose, at 0.75 mSv

The researchers concluded that their findings show that radiation dose control measures are working, and better radiation dosimetry technology offers a far more accurate picture of how much dose RTs are actually exposed to. 

The Takeaway

The study’s findings should give technologists who assist with interventional procedures peace of mind that their radiation dose exposure is well within established limits. But as always with radiation exposure, vigilance is warranted. 

AI’s Rapidly Growing Role in Medical Imaging

AI holds immense potential to drive productivity and efficiency gains for organizations, including healthcare. In this downloadable white paper from TeraRecon, learn about AI’s rapidly growing role in medical imaging.

Clarity, Speed, and Confidence for MRI Efficiency

Radiologists have used a variety of methods to improve efficiency, but many of these methods come with drawbacks. Find out in this article how SpinTech MRI takes on the challenge of MRI efficiency with its STAGE software.

The Wire

• Mammo AI Rule-Out Study: New research this week illustrates the predictive power of AI. In a study in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, researchers worked with AI developer Whiterabbit.ai to create an algorithm that could rule out cancer by analyzing mammograms. In a dataset of 14.8k mammograms, use of AI reduced the number of mammograms requiring radiologist interpretation by 42%, false-positive callbacks by 31%, and benign biopsies by 7.4% compared to radiologist interpretations. Researchers said reducing callbacks could improve mammography utilization. 

• Smarter Breast Cancer Risk Scoring: In another mammography AI study, researchers from Sweden described in Radiology how they developed an AI tool for predicting short-term breast cancer risk using Lunit’s Insight MMG solution in combination with algorithms they developed in-house. In a study of 2k women, their AISmartDensity score identified more future cancers within three years than a traditional risk model based only on breast density and age (33% vs. 13%) and also had higher PPV (2.91% vs. 1.09%) and AUC (0.72 vs. 0.61). AISmartDensity could be used to guide supplemental mammography screening.

• CT Body Analysis Predicts Surgical Outcomes: AI’s predictive power was also on display in a study in JAMA Surgery in which an AI algorithm predicted surgical outcomes by analyzing CT-derived measurements of muscle quantity and quality. In 48.4k patients, an algorithm from Voronoi Health Analytics measured skeletal muscle values from preoperative CT scans; patients with more muscle mass and higher quality muscle had a reduced risk of 30-day readmission or mortality (relative risk=0.61) and post-operative morbidity (RR=0.59).

• Bayer Joins with Google Cloud on AI: Bayer has expanded its collaboration with Google Cloud to spur development of AI tools for radiology. Bayer is developing a new “innovation platform” – distinct from its Calantic AI deployment offering – that will help organizations build AI-powered apps, and is basing the platform on Google Cloud with Google tools made available to users, including generative AI. The platform will support AI-powered data analysis using intelligent search and data preparation, algorithm creation and validation tools, and support for launching algorithms and monitoring their performance. 

• HAP Wins NJ Contract: Revenue cycle management firm Healthcare Administrative Partners has won a contract to provide its services to Health Village Imaging of New Jersey. HAP will perform all core revenue cycle services under the deal, including billing, coding, carrier credentialing, business intelligence, and MIPS measure assurance services. Health Village Imaging provides imaging services in central and southern New Jersey. 

• iCAD Partners with Densitas: iCAD has partnered with Densitas to offer an integrated breast health solution that combines each company’s products, offering functionality ranging from breast cancer detection to density assessment and risk evaluation. iCAD previously launched a cloud-based version of its flagship ProFound Breast Health Suite of AI solutions for breast imaging, enabling breast health providers to use ProFound applications under a SaaS model running on Google Cloud. 

• Densitas Releases intelliMaven: In other Densitas news, the company released intelliMaven, an AI-based assistant for mammography quality assurance. Targeted at mammography technologists, intelliMaven leverages large language models and accompanies the firm’s flagship intelliMamo software for mammography density. The company said intelliMaven helps track technologist performance and provides personalized feedback and recommendations to help technologists meet training needs.  

• Screening Research at AACR 2024: The American Association for Cancer Research convened in San Diego this week, and while most of the show focused on cancer drug therapies and lab diagnostics there were some interesting talks on screening. In one presentation, researchers targeted CT lung cancer screening at high-risk patients hospitalized for other reasons, while another compared interventions to boost lung screening in disadvantaged groups between states that expanded Medicaid and those that didn’t. 

• CT Surveillance after Lung Cancer: In another talk at AACR 2024, researchers found that performing surveillance CT scans of patients who were treated for an initial primary lung cancer can improve long-term survival, especially as they have a risk of second primary lung cancer 4-6X that of initial cancer in the general population. Researchers tracked 13k patients who survived over five years from an initial lung cancer, finding lower risk of lung cancer-specific death for those who got two surveillance CT scans (HR=0.67).   

• Screening Doesn’t Catch Most Cancers: Finally, another presentation at AACR 2024 found that most cancer deaths occur outside guideline-based cancer screening programs. Researchers estimated that 600k US cancer deaths (31%) are from colorectal, female breast, cervical, and lung cancers in smokers, but after accounting for the low adherence rate of lung cancer screening it means 83% of cancer deaths are not addressed by commonly utilized cancer screening tests. They believe this could be an opportunity for new screening technologies such as blood biomarker-based testing.

• Sharp Growth in CAC Scoring: ACC 2024 also wrapped up this week, with a presentation on the final day of the conference documenting the sharp growth in CT-based coronary artery calcium scoring. Researchers tracked 48k CAC scoring exams from 2008 to 2023; the number of annual exams grew sharply, from 97 to 10.7k. Incorporation of CAC testing in ACC/AHA guidelines in 2018 led to a 2X increase. Gender disparities have evened out, with more than 50% of scans performed in women in 2023 versus 39% in 2008.

• Neurosurgical Ultrasound Partnership: Fujifilm Healthcare Americas has granted Brainlab exclusive distribution rights to Fujfilm’s Arietta Precision ultrasound scanner for neurosurgical applications with Brainlab’s surgical navigation systems. Working in combination, the systems offer an image-guided intraoperative neurosurgery solution that can give surgeons real-time information to compensate for brain movement during surgery to remove brain tumors. Brainlab will distribute the combined offering as a standalone product alongside its Ultrasound Navigation software; FDA clearance and commercial availability are expected in mid-2024. 

• $9M Award in Gamma Camera Failure: A couple was awarded $9M from a Connecticut cardiology practice for an accident that occurred in 2014 when a gamma camera table collapsed under a patient’s weight. James Griswold and his wife Diana sued Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists after the accident; Griswold weighed 340 lb at the time and was concerned whether the table could hold his weight. Imaging staff allegedly told him the table could support him, but it collapsed, causing him permanent injuries.

Improving Cancer Screening: How AI Empowers Radiologists

Learn how the use of AI-based tools for cancer screening holds immense promise for addressing the lack of trained radiologists in this downloadable eBook from Bayer.

A Tactical Approach to Leadership Success

Learn new strategies for achieving leadership success in this on-demand recording of a RadEqual webinar sponsored by Intelerad and the American Association for Women in Radiology, and featuring Geraldine McGinty, MD, and Melissa Davis, MD.

The Resource Wire

• Transforming Cardiovascular Ultrasound Analysis: Learn how cardiovascular ultrasound is on the verge of transformation with the latest version of Us2.ai’s new echo AI analysis software, featuring 45 automated echo parameters for streaming clinical workflow.

• The Right Approach to AI Adoption: Discover the right approach to AI adoption and the transformative impact of CARPL.ai in accelerating the clinical implementation of AI, driving ROI, and revolutionizing patient care in this video featuring leaders from Radiology Partners and University Hospitals, Cleveland. 

• Improving Patient Outcomes in Lung Cancer: Early detection is key to improving treatment pathways and patient outcomes in lung cancer. Learn more facts about lung cancer screening on this resource page from Riverain Technologies. 

• Treating Local Patients Like Family: Holzer Health System in the rural community of Jackson, Ohio, treats local patients like family, offering the same level of top-quality care that can be found anywhere. Find out how United Imaging’s Software Upgrades for Life program helps them stay current.

• Benefits of Cloud and AI for Medical Imaging: Check out this white paper from Merge by Merative to learn how a cloud-first approach for modern imaging solutions can ensure accessibility and efficiency, addressing the pressing need for change in radiology.

• Visit Clearpath in Vegas: If you’re heading to Las Vegas for the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) annual conference in April, be sure to schedule a meeting with Clearpath to learn about their solutions for giving patients better access to their data and images. 

• The Benefits of Breast Imaging AI: Breast imaging AI can help providers reduce their workload and improve patient care. Blackford Analysis offers a wide selection of breast imaging AI apps on its Blackford Platform – find out how they could benefit your organization. 

• Looking to Improve Follow-Up Compliance? PocketHealth now offers Follow-Up Navigator, a new solution that puts follow-ups directly in the patient’s hands. Learn more in this article.

• Get to Know DeepHealth: DeepHealth offers a portfolio of AI solutions for clinical applications ranging from lung to prostate to brain indications. Learn more about DeepHealth and its AI-driven breakthroughs in care delivery.

• Optimizing Emergency Department Efficiency with AI: Emergency departments around the world are facing challenging conditions. Find out how CHU Rennes in France successfully integrated BoneView from Gleamer for AI-powered fracture detection. 

• 3 Good Reasons to Add Mammography: There are three good reasons to add mammography services at your imaging site as providers expect higher demand for breast imaging services. Get the facts about mammography on this resource page from Siemens Healthineers. 

• Allina Turns to the Cloud for Better Patient Care: Allina Health needed to replace its on-premises PACS to better serve patients. Learn how Allina turned to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Visage Imaging for a cloud-based implementation of the Visage 7 enterprise imaging platform. 

• Empowering Radiology: Dianne Keen’s Journey: In this episode of The Radiology Report Podcast, Medality founder and CEO Daniel Arnold sits down with Dianne Keen, a healthcare education and marketing specialist with over 25 years of experience in radiology practice development. 

• How Imaging Tech Affects the Entire Enterprise: Watch this on-demand webinar from Enlitic featuring Konfidi Healthcare President Brandon Taggart and Enlitic’s Dave Wilson in a conversation about how medical imaging technology affects the entire healthcare enterprise.  

• AI-Powered Solutions to Drive Efficiency: Explore Nuance’s latest virtual series, Home for Dinner, showcasing AI-powered solutions to drive efficiency – saving radiology teams time at work so they can be home for dinner – or whatever matters most. The next demo on April 23 will feature Nuance Precision Imaging Network for seamlessly integrating AI into your existing reporting workflow. Sign up today.