Major practices ink DBT AI deals, Canon’s MRI clearance, ABR’s video series, plus more radiology vendors news
Two well-known radiology practices recently inked deals with New Hampshire artificial intelligence vendor iCAD.
Those include Hartford, Connecticut-based Jefferson Radiology—part of larger industry player Mednax—along with SimonMed. The latter is stationed in Arizona and bills itself as the “largest physician owned outpatient radiology practice in the United States.”
Both practices said they plan to use iCAD’s ProFound AI—a deep learning solution that aids in reading digital breast tomosynthesis images—across their entire networks. iCAD says it was the first AI-based DBT software to gain clearance from the Food and Drug Administration back in 2018.
Breast imaging volumes have slid precipitously since the start of the pandemic, and iCAD (short for computer aided detection) hopes it second-reader solution can help docs play catchup.
“As mammography resumes, many radiologists are now being presented with new challenges introduced by the pandemic. Not only is there a significant backlog of women who need to be screened, many sites are offering expanded hours and adjusting patient spacing to accommodate proper safety precautions, which puts an added strain on radiologists reading DBT images,” Chairman and CEO Michael Klein said in a statement.
All told, SimonMed employs more than 200 radiologists operating in 150 facilities across nine states, according to its website. Jefferson, meanwhile, says it is the largest radiology practice in Connecticut, including 60-plus physicians, nine imaging centers and affiliations across six hospitals.
ABR launches video series
The American Board of Radiology has launched a new YouTube series featuring its Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA.
ABR's new video offering will continue through the next several months, exploring various facets of the Tucson, Arizona-based doc-certification nonprofit.
They’ve already shared two videos on their webpage, covering the ABR’s purpose and its Diagnostic Radiology Initial Certification Advisory Committee.
ABR said interviews with its ED will appear every Thursday.
Canon’s latest FDA clearance
Canon Medical Systems USA has scored 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for the use of its deep learning platform paired with the 1.5T MR system.
Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (or AICE for short) uses AI to differentiate true signal from noise and allow for sharper imaging during shorter scans. Tustin, California-based Cannon USA said the technology is already available across most of its CT product portfolio.
New CT scanner drapes for COVID
North Miami-based vendor EDM Medical Solutions recently launched a new line of products aimed at helping practices keep providers and patients safe during CT exams.
Those include new single-use sterile drapes that protect imaging equipment and prevent the risk of cross-contamination.
EDM said it has seen demand for personal protective equipment “skyrocket” during the pandemic and is working on new products to meet heavy infection control demands.
Appointment transport company raises $4M
A Philadelphia-based transportation marketplace that’s targeting radiology and other specialties recently raised $4 million.
Roundtrip said the capital infusion balloons its total to $10.5 million, with contributors including Johns Hopkins and University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Founded in 2016, Roundtrip offers an online marketplace that “streamlines medical transportation,” making it easier for hospitals and payers to request rides for customers. It currently has partnerships in over 40 states.
“In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, this funding is continued validation of our focus,” Roundtrip CEO and Founder Mark Switaj said in a statement. “The future is in disease-state transportation solutions, and our outcomes-based view crosses COVID-19, the opioid crisis, cardiology, radiology, and cancer care, plus behavioral health and more.”
Rapid fire
Here are a few more vendor news items of note, in rapid fashion:
- Spanish radiology AI firm Quibim recently raised more than $9.2 million in new financing, it announced this week.
- Minneapolis technology firm Imbio recently joined the Nuance AI Marketplace for medical imaging.
- New York cloud vendor Ambra Health recently partnered with Invenio Imaging in a bid to allow pathologists instant access to medical data.
- Vermont PACS vendor Mach7 this week completed its acquisition of Client Outlook.
- And finally, Israeli firm RealView Imaging just raised $10 million in new capital, calling itself the first and only company to offer 3D holograms created from medical images.
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.