Dutch healthcare technology company Royal Philips and US-based non-profit medical centre Mayo Clinic have teamed up to advance MRI for cardiac applications using AI technology.
Under the research collaboration, Philips and Mayo Clinic will leverage their AI capabilities and Mayo Clinic physicians’ expertise in improving the MRI exams.
The collaboration helps reduce MRI scan times and improve efficiency, to reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and address the current chronic shortage of trained staff.
Building on the AI technology, the collaboration will allow even less experienced radiographers to perform complex cardiac MRI exams, said the health technology company.
Philips MRI business leader Ioannis Panagiotelis said: “A complex cardiac MRI exam can take over an hour, which is often challenging for patients who suffer from claustrophobia inside the bore of the scanner, find it difficult to lie still or are unable to hold their breath for the required time.
“By applying AI at every stage of a cardiac MRI exam, we intend to expand access and greatly improve the patient experience, increase departmental efficiency, and deliver the detailed diagnostic information needed for optimal patient outcomes.”
According to Philips, Ischemic heart disease is one of the primary causes of mortality in the world, accounting for nearly 13% of all deaths worldwide.
CT scan is often used to image patients with heart issues, with MRI as one of the ‘gold standard’ of care, when treating congenital heart disease or diseases affecting heart muscle.
However, access to high-quality MRI is often limited due to its higher cost and unavailability.
Philips said its research collaboration will validate the potential of its lower-field-strength MRI solutions, designed to be installed in a wider range of locations.
The MRI solutions also provide safer scanning options for people with implants sensitive to high magnetic fields.
According to the company, around 3.9% of the US population currently with a metallic orthopaedic or cardiac implant and are denied an MRI scan due to safety concerns.
Also, an estimated 50% to 75% of patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device are expected to benefit from a lower-field-strength solution, said Philips.
Recently, Philips unveiled its next-generation 1.5T BlueSeal MRI system, with a 70cm wide-bore design and AI-powered MR Smart Workflow solutions.
