The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging
August 17 2020The advent of artificial intelligence in medical imaging means many positive things for the healthcare industry as a whole. In particular, AI could have a significant impact on ultrasound and its accessibility.
Whether you’re aware of it or not, artificial intelligence in healthcare is already playing a big role in certain areas. Providers across specialties rely on apps and programs to assist with diagnosis and treatment.
AI is spreading rapidly, changing the healthcare world as we know it. It is also changing ultrasound technology. Ultrasound, like any medical imaging system, involves the tedious analysis of hundreds of images. This process lends itself to human error.
Regardless, ultrasound is a game-changer for quick, non-invasive diagnosis. Although ultrasound technology has increased in popularity since the introduction of mobile devices, it is still not as widely used as it should be. Many professionals believe that integrating artificial intelligence in medical imaging will change this, making ultrasound part of every check-up.
UltrasoundQuotes is here to keep you up-to-date on each new innovation in the industry. Learn more about the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and ultrasound below.
Ultrasound Applications
There are endless applications for AI in medical imaging, and new ones are being discovered each day. Similarly, ultrasound machines have a variety of purposes across cardiology, veterinary, point-of-care, women’s health, and vascular specialties. Like AI, new ultrasound applications arise frequently.
Despite the versatility of ultrasound equipment, it still isn’t used at every practice. Even where it is used, there is a risk of diagnostic error and inaccurate assessment. That’s where artificial intelligence in medical imaging can help.
For example, it is critical to detect cardiovascular abnormalities early. To do this, a cardiomegaly, carina angle measurement, or aortic valve analysis may be performed. Adding automation to these tests will allow providers to undoubtedly rule out certain pulmonary problems. With the help of AI in medical imaging, proper treatments can begin right away without fear of misdiagnosis or time-consuming trial and error methods.
In addition to cardiovascular exams, many other ultrasound applications are time-sensitive, such as the detection of fractures and musculoskeletal injuries. If not addressed quickly, these injuries can lead to long-term, chronic pain, especially among elderly patients. Providers can use artificial intelligence in medical imaging to find tiny fractures, dislocations, or soft tissue injuries. Not only are these injuries hard to see with the human eye, but they’re often overlooked in trauma cases where internal bleeding and organ damage are the main points of focus.
These are just two of the hundreds of instances where providers can use AI in medical imaging to increase accuracy and time-efficiency. All ultrasound applications can benefit from the precision that AI provides.
Benefits of AI in Medical Imaging
Deep learning is a newer segment of artificial intelligence that allows computers and other machines to understand the content of an image. Certain AI technology uses deep learning to make decisions based on this understanding.
Deep learning uses neural networks to form the multi-layered basis for learning. Artificial intelligence in healthcare is designed to learn similarly to humans in order to analyze data and images.
From diagnosing neurological diseases to screening for common cancers, artificial intelligence has huge potential. However, AI in medical imaging means more than just an accurate diagnosis. It also means a confident diagnosis. When healthcare providers are fully confident in their analysis, there’s no need to waste time trying various treatments or running more tests.
Using artificial intelligence in healthcare is critical to helping providers find confidence in their diagnosis and treatment plan. Plus, AI is a huge time-saver. When practices save time, they also save money. Using artificial intelligence in medical imaging could also open the doors to unprecedented insights regarding treatment variability and patient outcomes.
Ultrasound technology provides a wealth of information that requires careful assessment. The shortage of trained ultrasound technicians limits access to ultrasound technology in developing nations. Integrating artificial intelligence in medical imaging could eliminate this issue. There is endless potential when it comes to artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Taking Advantage of Innovative Ultrasound Technology
So, how can your practice take advantage of artificial intelligence in medical imaging? Certain companies are starting to explore their options with AI. For instance, Clarius ultrasound equipment uses AI-powered adjustments, including automatic depth and focus.
Another example of artificial intelligence in medical imaging is the Butterfly iQ, which is one of the first handheld, whole-body ultrasound systems. This device connects to a phone app that uses AI to interpret ultrasound images.
If you’re looking for cutting edge technology, you’re in the right place. UltrasoundQuotes carries the most innovative ultrasound technology in the industry. We do this by partnering with pre-screened dealers to create a vast inventory of equipment from industry-leading manufacturers.
We’ve collected the best ultrasound machines for sale for you to compare in one place. Get upfront pricing and information on each of your options. Browse equipment that fits the ultrasound applications you need to fulfill.