What You Missed at RSNA 2023

The RSNA annual meeting draws tens of thousands of healthcare professionals in medical imaging, offering a comprehensive platform for unveiling groundbreaking innovations and fostering discussions among industry leaders. This year’s conference just ended, so if you didn’t get to join, we’ll be highlighting some interesting takeaways from this amazing event.

New Technology

Royal Philips introduces the BlueSeal MR Mobile, a groundbreaking mobile MRI system featuring helium-free operations, marking a significant advancement in diagnostic imaging technology. This pioneering device, equipped with the industry’s first fully sealed 1.5T magnet, provides patient-centric MRI services, offering agility and flexibility in placement, especially near hospital entrances for patient convenience. Developed initially for Akumin, the first unit to be showcased at the event, this innovation extends Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology, having saved over 1.5 million liters of helium since 2018. The helium-free mobile unit expands access to MRI exams sustainably, catering to more patients in diverse locations, addressing resource constraints, and enhancing healthcare delivery, as highlighted by Ruud Zwerink, General Manager Magnetic Resonance at Philips. Notably, the BlueSeal MR Mobile’s reduced helium requirements improve operational efficiency and connect to Philips’ Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC), enabling real-time remote support for imaging experts, ensuring quality care delivery.

Radpair, a pioneering platform in radiology innovation, unveiled its cutting-edge generative AI-driven technology at the conference. This groundbreaking system, described by Avez Rizvi, Radpair’s CEO, as a revolutionary advancement, promises to reshape radiology reporting and elevate patient care standards. Positioned as the first of its kind, Radpair’s web-based and user-friendly platform utilizes generative AI in clinical settings to automate radiology report generation, streamlining radiologists’ workflow and enhancing efficiency while prioritizing patient care. Vesta Teleradiology is proud to collaborate with Radpair, with Vesta CEO, Vijay Vonguru stating, “This partnership propels us to the forefront of innovation in radiology. The synergy between Radpair’s advanced generative AI technology and Vesta’s robust teleradiology platform and onsite Radiology will redefine the standards of care we provide, ensuring high-quality, swift, and more nuanced radiological interpretations.”

Radpair and Vesta Telereadiology

Addressing the People

Dr. Pedram Keshavarz from UCLA presented findings indicating widespread burnout symptoms among radiologists and trainees. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were prevalent, particularly among residents and trainees who exhibited the highest rates of low personal accomplishment. These symptoms are considered warning signs for potential professional dropout or retirement. The study reviewed multiple contributing factors to burnout, including sleep deprivation, heavy workloads, low salaries, and various responsibilities. Analyzing nine studies with over 15,000 participants, the research highlighted different rates of burnout across radiology subspecialties, linking factors like having a partner, child, and lower debt levels to reduced emotional exhaustion and higher personal accomplishment. The presentation emphasized the need for future research to focus on interventions to alleviate burnout symptoms, potentially exploring the impact of remote work and other aspects on radiologists’ well-being. Large cross-sectional studies were suggested to further understand and address burnout progression among radiologists.

 

Sources:

Auntminnie.com
itnonline.com
Phillips.com
Openai.com

 

The Future of Radiology with 5G

If you’ve been to the doctor’s office, hospital, or any healthcare building recently, you might have noticed an upgrade in technology. Instead of a sign-in sheet, you may have been handed a fingerprint scanner. In lieu of a paper and pen, a nurse may have an iPad or desktop computer to take your medical history. For years, medical offices around the country have already had an online scheduling and note-taking system, so it may not come as a surprise that innovations have reached their way to medical imaging and radiology. 5G technology has made vast improvements in the medical space since 2018, says Imaging Technology News, and will continue to make waves, globally, for years to come.

Advancements with 5G

Ultrasound and telehealth technology has advanced this year with 5G technology, particularly with people who live in remote locations without easy access to hospitals, says Radiology Business. 5G connectivity makes transmission of 4K images and ultrasound images much more efficient and clearer than LTE technology, says the article. Patients who need appointments or images read by medical professionals are able to receive the care they need through telehealth services and remarkably clearer images. In addition to this, 5G technology has helped remotely train the practitioners, who were not radiologists, to take the ultrasound examinations. Having a wider pool of practitioners to perform these tasks is proof that 5G has a promising future in the healthcare community.

Another advancement brought about by 5G technology is biomedical devices, says Applied Sciences.  When a patient has an implantable and wearable biomedical device with wireless communication technology, doctors are able to have updates and treatments in real time for those in their care. These devices gather data from sick patients and instantly transmit the progress to a doctor to be checked, remotely. Because of the reliability of a 5G network, life supporting devices are able to work quickly, and without complications of interruption. According to the article, developing the “self-health” systems aided by 5G technology will be critical for the lack of healthcare workers we will experience by 2035.

Looking ahead, Imaging Technology News predicts the 5G networks could be the “catalyst towards smart hospitals;” a center of streamlined systems and information that efficiently carries through the patient experience. Some of those concepts, says the article, includes a smart scheduling system, facial recognition or fingerprint scanners, and multiple imaging transfers between medical professionals. Importantly, too, 5G networks will enable “crosstalk” between medical devices, monitoring devices, and medical records, creating one, integrated system.

facial scanning
AI facial recognition

There are a lot of predictions about our healthcare system due to so many changes in our world today amidst the COVID, flu, RSV, healthcare worker shortage, and so many other variables. But, here, there is proof of a silver lining. Technology has made it possible to reroute some of these fears and bring some light to some dark statistics. We are on the precipice of new and big developments in our healthcare systems. The future is here and we are excited. Click here to learn more about Vesta’s partnership with MIT for artificial intelligence research.