Samsung scores FDA clearance for artificial intelligence aid that helps detect lung nodules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a new artificial intelligence solution from Samsung that can help providers pinpoint nodules on chest X-rays, officials announced Thursday.

Using deep learning, the Auto Lung Nodule Detection software indicates the location of suspicious findings on posteroanterior chest radiographs. Samsung said its computer-assisted solution operates on-device and can spot nodules between 10 to 30 mm in size on X-rays of adults.

“This FDA clearance is a huge milestone for Samsung and is the result of our tireless work to design diagnostic solutions that empower providers to deliver patients the absolute best care possible,” said David Legg, VP of digital radiography and ultrasound at NeuroLogica, the company’s Massachusetts-based healthcare subsidiary.

Samsung said its solution was tested across several academic centers and logged a sensitivity of 80% or more for nodule detection. The algorithm also has an option to autorun immediately after chest imaging and transmit results into picture archiving communication systems, according to the Oct. 28 announcement.  

Marty Stempniak

Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic. 

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