3D image-based search engine and triaging software for lung CTs to improve radiology workflows

Projektinformationen

Contextflow

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 960747

DOI

10.3030/960747

Projekt abgeschlossen

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 24 Juni 2020

Startdatum 1 September 2020

Enddatum 31 August 2022

Finanziert unter

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Gesamtkosten

€ 1 722 675,00

EU-Beitrag

€ 1 205 872,50

Koordiniert durch

CONTEXTFLOW GMBH
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Contextflow (3D image-based search engine and triaging software for lung CTs to improve radiology workflows)

Berichtszeitraum: 2021-09-01 bis 2022-08-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Radiology is struggling. Exponentially increasing quantities of data make it difficult to find relevant information. Radiologists' workload is also rapidly increasing, exacerbated by the global radiologist shortage. What's more, new treatments require more complex diagnoses. When faced with a difficult case,radiologists must currently discuss with colleagues, consult reference books or guess search terms in text-based resources. This frustrating, time-consuming process leads to delays, missed findings and high overtime expense.

contextflow develops deep learning-based tools to improve radiology workflows, saving time while increasing reporting quality. Lung diseases are particularly hard to diagnose; they are characterised by the combination and distribution of 40 anomalous patterns observed in lung CTs. contextflow software reduces the time radiologists spend searching for information, allowing for both faster and higher-quality diagnostics.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

The project builds on existing contextflow technology, a 3D image-based search engine. This search engine can already detect 19 disease patterns, instantly linking a 3D image to reference cases with similar findings, case statistics and reference information necessary for differential diagnosis.

During the project, we have developed methods to detect lung diseases, including COVID-19, based on the anomalous lung disease patterns; and identifying signatures indicative of diseases in medical data to support personalised treatment decisions. We have collected and manually annotated extensive lung CT datasets in order to carry out this development. We have also developed technology to follow changes in lung disease patterns of a single patient over time. A highlight of the dissemination activities is a series of videos explaining the contextflow technology. contextflow closed a €6.7 million Series A investment round in 2021. Results of the project are implemented in the contextflow ADVANCE Chest CT software.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

The contextflow system is currently able to detect 19 lung disease patterns (other systems can detect 1-3 patterns). Linking these disease pattern distributions to lung diseases results in a significant step forward in AI support for radiologists. A further breakthrough is the timeline analysis, which provides radiologists with tools to track lung disease progression in a patient over time. Through collaborations with PACS vendors (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems), contextflow stimulates the broad adoption of these techniques by radiology departments.

Screenshot of the contextflow lung CT software