Samsung Electronics’ medical device division showed off a selection of new artificial intelligence-based imaging tools yesterday at the Radiological Society of North America’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago. The software are designed to be implemented within diagnostic imaging devices that are already on the market, according to a release from the company.
Among these software applications was S-Detect for Breast, a tool for dedicated radiology ultrasound systems that standardizes how suspicious breast lesions are reported and classified.
SimGrid, a digital radiography application highlighted by the company, uses AI to support clinicians by reducing the bone signal of chest X-ray images and more clearly showing lung tissue that would normally be obstructed. Another radiography tool, the self-explanatory Auto Lung Nodule Detection (ALND), is currently 510(k) pending.
According to research cited (and supported) by Samsung, use of S-Detect appears to improve diagnostic accuracy among less experienced breast imaging physicians. Similarly, a Samsung-backed investigation found SimGrid capable of improving non-grid images to grid image qualities without increased radiation exposure, while ALND improved detection sensitivity by seven percent compared to the average of six chest radiologists, according to a currently unpublished study cited by Samsung.
Along with these offerings, the company also used the conference to promote its AI products for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
What’s the impact
AI may be creeping its way into a number of unique healthcare applications, but imaging has stood for a number of years as one of the clearest applications for the technology. Samsung’s new commercial software are the latest example of such offerings, and could soon play a role in the numerous imaging centers already using the company’s hardware.
What’s the trend
Samsung wasn’t alone in announcing new healthcare software at the conference — GE used the event to launch its new Edison platform of AI apps for hospitals and health systems, while Nuance announced its AI-enabled PowerScribe One reporting, diagnostics and decision support platform.
On the record
"We are pleased that Samsung's AI technologies have been successfully applied to the existing diagnostic imaging devices and have been well received in the market," Dongsoo Jun, president of Samsung Electronics’ health and medical equipment business, and CEO of Samsung Medison, said in a statement. "As a comprehensive diagnostic imaging solution provider, we will continue to strengthen our technologies through collaboration with hospitals and healthcare professionals. We aim to bring together radiologists and AI to fill in the gaps for improved healthcare management."
