Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a crucial component of healthcare to help augment physicians and make them more efficient. In medical imaging, it is helping radiologists more efficiently manage PACS worklists, enable structured reporting, auto detect injuries and diseases, and to pull in relevant prior exams and patient data. In cardiology, AI is helping automate tasks and measurements on imaging and in reporting systems, guides novice echo users to improve imaging and accuracy, and can risk stratify patients. AI includes deep learning algorithms, machine learning, computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, and convolutional neural networks. 

Report: Cultural, reimbursement barriers thwart robotic telemed adoption

Licensing, costs for technology and reimbursement for robotic telemedicine continue to impede progress, according to an article published in the January/February edition of Telemedicine and e-Health.

Study: Robotic telemedicine in NICU feasible, safe

A remote-controlled, robotic telemedicine system in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is feasible and safe, according to a research published in the May editiion of Journal of Perinatology.

Study: Medical robotics industry will hit $1.3B in 2016

Advances in robotic capabilities, combined with the improving economic environment for medical services delivery and payments, are driving demand for surgical, assistive and telemedicine-based robots, according to ABI Research.

Philips, Hansen integrate x-ray, robotic catheter for cardiac arrhythmias

Royal Philips Electronics and Hansen Medical have agreed to co-develop integrated products that may simplify cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias.

Around the web

HHS has thought through the ways AI can and should become an integral part of healthcare, human services and public health. Last Friday—possibly just days ahead of seating a new secretary—the agency released a detailed plan for getting there from here.

Philips is recalling the software associated with its Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry devices after certain high-risk ECG events were never routed to trained cardiology technicians as intended. The issue, which lasted for two years, has been linked to more than 100 injuries. 

Heart Rhythm Society President Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, detailed a new advocacy group focused on improving EP reimbursements, patient care and access. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu," he said.