The groundbreaking research collaboration between Soroka University Medical Center of the Clalit Group and the Danish company Cerebriu is the first of its kind in Israel. It focuses on a smart protocol and artificial intelligence in MRI devices and will make it possible to improve examination and diagnosis processes in brain scans.
Soroka University Medical Center of the Clalit Group and the Danish company Cerebriu recently signed an innovative, ground-breaking research cooperation agreement with the assistance of Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Denmark Davy Antebi and Oded Menuhin. The collaboration focuses on a smart protocol and artificial intelligence in MRI scanners that perform brain scans. The integration of artificial intelligence into MRI scanners is expected to bring about a revolution, fundamentally change the examination and decoding processes, and shorten their duration to just a few minutes.
Today, an MRI examination lasts between 15 and 45 minutes and includes the injection of contrast media and even general anesthesia in some cases. Moreover, it is important to receive the test results quickly.
How does the technology work? After the artificial intelligence software is embedded in the MRI scanners, the algorithm analyzes, in the early stages of the examination and in real time, a shortened set of images and suggests the most suitable next sequences based on the initial findings. If the algorithm identifies critical findings, it allows the radiologist to make decisions regarding the prioritization of the continuation of the scan and rapid reporting of the findings to the treatment team.
The innovative technology shortens the examination and interpretation time because the findings are detected in real time so that the data is received within just one minute of the end of the scan, sometimes even before the patient exits the device.
"The accuracy of the technology makes it possible to reach a more accurate and rapid diagnosis," Dr. Gal Ben-Arieh a radiologist at Soroka's Imaging Institute remarked, "and eliminates the need for repeated tests and, in some cases, the injection of contrast media. This is also good news for patients examined under general anesthesia because the technology shortens the duration of the examination and accordingly also the duration of the anesthesia."
Prof. Ilan Shelef, neuroradiologist and director of the Imaging Institute at Soroka: "The collaboration between Soroka and Cerebriu places us at the forefront of artificial intelligence developments and will allow us to provide patients with personalized imaging, that is, real-time, dynamic tailoring of the examination to the subject who is in the process of being examined."
Robert Lauritzen, CEO of Cerebriu, remarked, "At Cerebriu, we provide artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the automation of radiology workflows around the world, and with this project, we mark an important milestone. The collaboration with a leading institution and the largest healthcare system in the Start-Up Nation is strong proof of the great value that our unique product gives to healthcare systems, doctors, and patients around the world."
