Emerging Advances in Radiology Presented at the RSNA Conference

The annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference served as the venue for the introduction of several advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound devices. There was also a strong emphasis on enterprise imaging, consolidation of informatics and deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to help enhance clinical precision and workflow efficiency.

Here are a few product highlights from the RSNA conference.

What’s New in MRI and CT?

In the magnetic resonance imaging space, Philips debuted the BlueSeal Horizon 3T MRI platform, which is reportedly the first MRI platform featuring a helium-free 3T magnet.

Beyond eliminating the requirement for helium refills and vent pipes, the system is designed to improve efficiency through features like real-time scan preview, which allows for quicker reconstruction of 3D images and artifact reduction. The BlueSeal Horizon system also offers expanded cardiac imaging capabilities via AI-enabled SmartPlanning and incorporates SmartSpeed Precise technology, which aims to combine enhanced image sharpness with scanning speeds up to three times faster.

Canon Medical unveiled its FDA-cleared Alphenix 4D CT with Aquilion One/Insight Edition, a platform specifically geared toward interventional radiologists.

This hybrid angiography/CT system integrates the Alphenix Sky+ angiography system with the Aquilion One/Insight Edition, enabling diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, and treatment delivery to occur within a single room.

Technical attributes include full organ coverage via ultra-fast cross-sectional imaging and a wide-area detector, a high-definition flat panel detector featuring 76 µm pixel technology for angiography, and enhanced deep learning reconstruction with AI-enabled workflow optimizations.

(Editor’s note: For additional coverage of the RSNA conference, click here.)

Advances in Mammography and Breast Health AI

Several new tools were introduced to improve breast imaging capabilities and workflow efficiency. Siemens Healthineers showcased the expanded capabilities of its Mammomat B.brilliant platform using the ClearCEM technique for contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM).

ClearCEM employs advanced algorithms to improve image reconstruction quality and differentiation of suspicious areas, even in dense breast tissue. Furthermore, when CEM findings necessitate a subsequent biopsy, the ClearCEM technique produces a high-depth resolution localizer image, facilitating accuracy within 1 mm for tomosynthesis-guided biopsy procedures.

DeepHealth launched its Breast Suite software platform, which leverages AI for cancer detection and breast density assessment. The modular suite includes ProFound Pro for automated localization of suspicious regions on mammography. It provides AI-powered assessments capable of stratifying breast cancer risk for up to two years and automates breast density assessment for both 2D mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). Components of this software, including the AI-powered Safeguard Review workflow, were associated with a 21.6 percent increase in breast cancer detection in a study involving 579,000 women (see the video below with Christoph Lee, M.D.)

Emerging Innovations with Advances in Informatics and Enterprise Imaging

Addressing the growing challenges of systems integration and declining reimbursements, Fujifilm introduced the enterprise imaging platform Synapse One.

This cloud-based solution consolidates imaging applications, offering capabilities such as 3D imaging, advanced scheduling, a patient portal, and a physician portal within one secure platform. This consolidation aims to facilitate interoperability and reduce the integration strain and associated costs incurred by working with multiple third-party vendors.

Philips also showcased an informatics solution with the FDA-cleared Cardiovascular Workspace (IntelliSpace Cardiovascular) software. This software as a service (SaaS) platform, deployed through the cloud, is intended to streamline cardiovascular imaging workflows and reporting efficiency. It supports secure remote access and utilizes automated data synchronization with a vendor-neutral archive (VNA) to enable smoother multidisciplinary collaboration.

Can New Ultrasound Devices Have an Impact?

In the ultrasound category, new devices highlighted the convergence of imaging performance and ergonomics. Mindray debuted the Resona A20 premium ultrasound system, featuring enhanced image clarity, ultra-wideband coverage, and FreeBeam beamforming technology to improve precision with echo data. The system incorporates an adjustable control panel, a collapsible 27-inch monitor for transport, and an interface that utilizes customizable AI-powered profiles to bolster workflow efficiency.

Similarly focused on efficiency and design, Samsung unveiled the AI-powered R20 ultrasound system. The R20 incorporates sophisticated software beamforming and over a dozen AI tools dedicated to automated measurements, diagnostic assistance, and real-time exam guidance. Notably, the R20 platform features an ergonomic design that has achieved independent validation, intending to mitigate the recognized issue of sonographer pain.

Final Notes

The innovations presented at RSNA underscore an industry-wide prioritization of clinical effectiveness delivered through workflow automation and platform consolidation, moving diagnostic technology toward increased speed, integration, and precision.