EUROPE—Royal Philips, based in the Netherlands, and icometrix, a Belgian leader in computer-aided diagnostics, have partnered to create an advanced AI-powered solution for acquiring, interpreting, and reporting MRI brain scans.
This collaboration aims to optimize diagnosing and monitoring neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Unveiled at RSNA 2024, isometric’s breakthrough software integrates seamlessly with Philips’ latest BlueSeal MR scanners, enhancing diagnostic accuracy with AI-driven Smart Reading capabilities.
The software is also connected to Philips’ cloud-based AI Manager, ensuring continuous, automated, and more reliable results.
With new drugs now available to slow Alzheimer’s progression, the role of MRI in patient management has become even more critical.
The AI-driven solution includes icometrix’s icobrain dm software for differential dementia diagnosis, as well as icometrix’s icobrain ARIA software.
This FDA-cleared software helps detect and grade the severity of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), a potential side effect of anti-amyloid drugs.
ARIA involves fluid buildup or blood leakage in the brain, which can be fatal if not monitored closely.
By monitoring ARIA throughout treatment, neurologists can adjust therapies to minimize risks.
Philips BlueSeal MR scanners are designed with AI-enhanced SmartExam planning and SmartSpeed protocols, enabling fast ARIA imaging.
The integrated Smart Reading software ensures smooth collaboration between imaging protocols and icometrix’s ARIA software, delivering automated, quantitative results for Alzheimer’s patients.
The AI-based solution is part of Philips’ healthcare informatics platform and integrates smoothly into existing radiology MR workflows and hospital PACS systems.
Neurologists can use these advanced tools to select the best candidates for treatment, ensuring timely and personalized care.
The integration of AI allows for quicker decision-making and more accurate monitoring of disease progression, making the diagnostic process more efficient and enabling tailored treatment plans.
In the case of MS, new clinical guidelines now require a specialized MR imaging protocol to detect white matter lesions and veins.
Philips is the only provider offering FLAIR* imaging, an advanced MRI technique, which is now part of the Philips Advanced Visualization Workspace.
This solution, along with icometrix’s icobrain ms software, helps track the number of white-matter lesions around veins—an MS hallmark.
It also allows for longitudinal comparisons of MRI scans, essential for making informed treatment decisions.
The AI-driven solutions from Philips and icometrix will be available on both the Philips BlueSeal 1.5T MR scanners and the 3.0T MR portfolio.
These innovations will be showcased at the RSNA 2024 meeting in Chicago, where Philips and icometrix will display their technologies at booths 6730 and 4903, respectively.
Philips’ Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Shez Partovi, emphasized that AI is helping to save time and improve diagnostic accuracy, leading to better care for more patients.
He noted that these innovations hold the potential to transform neurological care, offering hope for more effective management of chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s and MS.
Wim Van Hecke, CEO of icometrix, highlighted the growing role of AI in neurological diagnostics, particularly for Alzheimer’s care.
He noted that MRI quantification is critical to advancing precision medicine, and their collaboration with Philips is well-timed to meet the increasing demand for accurate brain MRI monitoring.
Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60% to 70% of the 55 million dementia cases worldwide, is expected to affect over 150 million people by 2050.
With the introduction of new monoclonal antibody treatments, MRI has become essential not only for diagnosing Alzheimer’s but also for monitoring the effectiveness of these treatments and managing potential side effects.
Current guidelines recommend at least four MRI scans during the first year of treatment, further highlighting the need for advanced, AI-driven MRI solutions to manage the increasing demand.
Given the global shortage of neuroradiologists and the increasing caseload of dementia patients, these innovations promise to alleviate the burden on radiology departments, enabling quicker, more efficient diagnosis and personalized treatment for patients with neurological conditions.
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