Philips (NYSE:PHG) has unveiled a partnership with Mayo Clinic focused on enhancing cardiac MRI technology through the use of artificial intelligence.
With this collaboration, both Philips and Mayo Clinic aim to capitalize on AI advancements alongside expertise from Mayo Clinic’s medical professionals. Their objective is to streamline operations by reducing the duration of complex MRI procedures and refining radiologists’ workflows.
Based on a company statement, besides assisting with CT scans, MRI provides significant support when addressing congenital heart defects or conditions affecting the heart muscle. However, costs and availability often pose challenges to accessing top-tier MRI services, says Philips.
“MRI examinations can be daunting for patients. Conducting a detailed cardiac MRI procedure may take over an hour, often causing anxiety in those who experience claustrophobia within the scanner, or struggle with remaining still and holding their breath as required,” commented Ioannis Panagiotelis, the head of MRI at Philips. “With AI integrated into every phase of a cardiac MRI procedure, we aim to broaden access, enhance patient experience, boost departmental productivity, and deliver comprehensive diagnostic insights to ensure superior patient outcomes.”
As part of the collaboration, Philips is set to incorporate Mayo Clinic’s exclusive AI technology alongside its own. This synergistic approach could potentially minimize MRI scan durations and increase the efficiency that lessens healthcare professionals’ load. The companies assert that AI advancements might enable radiographers with less experience to manage intricate cardiac MRI examinations.
Further, the collaboration aims to explore the possibilities of Philips’ low-field-strength MRI innovations. These solutions are tailored to facilitate MRI usage across a variety of applications, including safer scanning alternatives for patients with implants sensitive to intense magnetic fields.
Philips Expands AI Collaborations
This initiative represents the third AI-focused partnership that Philips has engaged in within a mere week.
On November 25, the enterprise announced a venture with Icometrix to introduce an AI-led brain scan solution. Both firms plan to create a full-cycle service for acquiring, interpreting, and reporting MRI brain scan results. They aspire to optimize diagnosis and monitoring treatment of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Additionally, the following day, Philips revealed the extension of its strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This collaboration provides Philips’ diagnostic tools in the cloud, covering radiology, digital pathology, cardiology, and AI-powered visualization solutions. Philips and AWS strive to combine diagnostic processes, thereby improving access to vital insights and driving superior results across various clinical domains.