Philips Launches New Cloud-Primarily based PACS & Unveils Cellular MRI System

As it’s wont to do, Philips made a number of bulletins at this yr’s RSNA assembly, the annual radiology and medical imaging convention in Chicago. 

Two of the corporate’s most notable items of reports have been that its new cloud-based image archiving and communication system (PACS) is accessible and that its new helium-free cell MRI system will quickly be deployed.

Philips’ new and improved PACS, known as Philips HealthSuite Imaging, is constructed on AWS’ cloud infrastructure. It’s the cloud-based subsequent technology of Philips’ Vue PACS. The brand new PACS presents new capabilities, together with built-in reporting, distant entry for diagnostic studying and AI instruments to simplify medical workflows.

Greater than 80 websites throughout the U.S. and Latin America have already migrated to the HealthSuite Imaging system, and different organizations are planning their transfer to the PACS. As an illustration, Tufts Medication in Massachusetts is within the midst of transition to the brand new system.

“We are going to construct an enterprise-wide built-in diagnostics platform — beginning with cloud-enabled radiology PACS, whereas making certain the best requirements of medical high quality and knowledge safety — as a part of a strategic partnership with Philips,” Shafiq Rab, the well being system’s chief digital and knowledge officer, mentioned in an announcement.

Philips additionally unveiled an “AI supervisor,” which is an AI enablement answer that seeks to assist suppliers undertake new purposes into their radiology workflows extra rapidly.

The brand new cloud-based infrastructure makes it simpler for radiologists to work at home, or actually anyplace they’d like, and the AI supervisor is designed to assist them combine varied algorithms to carry out duties with better effectivity and accuracy, mentioned Martijn Hartjes, Philip’s international enterprise chief for medical informatics, in an interview.

“With our PACS, now we have tried to deliver collectively all of our different informatics options to mainly assist enhance the effectivity of radiologists. We all know that with workers shortages and growing workloads, this can be a key problem for them. They’re additionally seeing extra complicated instances. Shifting out PACS to the cloud supplies at the least extra flexibility — radiologists can have entry all over the place, in order that’s already an effectivity acquire. After which we’re utilizing automation and AI instruments to additional optimize the workflow,” Hartjes defined.

Loads of radiologists and trade executives have been collaborating in Philip’s demos of its AI instruments at RSNA, and there have been additionally a great deal of individuals flocking to its BlueSeal showcase. Philips says that the BlueSeal MR Cellular is the world’s first cell MRI system with helium-free operations.

The cell 1.5T MRI system, which is mounted in a truck, is supposed to extend sufferers’ entry to MRI scans. It was designed to suit into areas that might be handy for sufferers, similar to close to a hospital’s fundamental entrance or in a group assembly middle in a rural space.

The cell MRI system connects to Philips’ radiology operations command middle, that means that clinicians within the truck can join with distant imaging consultants by way of real-time video, audio or text-based messaging.

Conventional MRI magnets often require almost 400 gallons of liquid helium, however the BlueSeal magnet solely must be pre-loaded with about two, which saves money and time, identified Philip Fritz, Philip’s advertising chief for MRI. 

The brand new cell MRI system shall be hitting the street quickly — Phillips mentioned the truck will journey to 18 U.S. cities beginning in April.

Picture: Philips