Dive Brief:
- Nuance Communications announced Monday the launch of an open platform aiming to speed the development of artificial intelligence (AI) for medical imaging.
- The AI marketplace will allow companies to share algorithms across organizations, computers and mobile devices on Nuance’s cloud-based network.
- Radiology is low-hanging fruit for AI and machine learning, James Golden, managing director of PwC Health Advisory, previously told Healthcare Dive. Nuance claims the new tool will cut down on radiologists spending time on paperwork and routine processes rather than patient treatment. Golden explained that if AI can help increase the number of images radiologists review per day, it could help add revenue to an organization.
Dive Insight:
Nuance says that though the AI marketplace, its PowerScribe reporting tool can use selected algorithms to augment radiologist’s workflows. The company says 70% of U.S. radiologists already use its PowerScribe and PowerShare platforms.
AI developers can use the PowerShare network to feed development platforms imaging data from authorized repositories and publish and share proprietary algorithms among 20,000 radiologists who use PowerShare. Hospitals and radiology groups who use the tool will be able to subscribe to AI algorithms that have been published.
The tool is being launched with support from NVIDIA, American College of Radiology, Ohio State University, Lunit, Radlogics, Aidence and Teracon.
Nuance is partnering with AI computing company NVIDIA for its AI marketplace. In a separate deal, GE Healthcare announced Sunday it would also be working with NVIDIA to bring AI to its imaging devices.
The increased adoption of AI in radiology signals the latest change in a field that has seen change over the years. Radiologists transitioned from film-based to computerized radiology with the advent of the Picture Archiving and Communication System. Dr. Luciano Prevedello, division chief of medical imaging informatics at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, warned that while the adoption of AI will become a necessary tool, buy-in from radiologists is key.
“It is critical for the state of AI adoption and its potential to improve patient outcomes and operations that AI-based tools are more than just available – they must be valuable, validated and valued by the institution of radiology," Prevedello said in a statement.