Methinks’ stroke detection software recently earning a coveted CE certificate indicates that AI is well on its way to becoming an inseparable part of the healthcare system.
Digital technology, and artificial intelligence in particular, is gaining traction in the healthcare sector. GlobalData predicts that by 2024, the healthcare industry’s use of such platforms would generate $4.3 billion in revenue worldwide.
Between 2019 and 2024, the healthcare industry’s CAGR will be 24.6%, while the medical devices industry’s CAGR will be 20.6%.
Methinks, a digital health firm, has developed AI-based medical imaging software that can aid in the detection and management of Acute Stroke and has been granted the CE mark (AS).
Using non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) and computed tomography angiography (CTA), the Methinks Stroke Software suite is the first CE approved medical equipment capable of identifying both hyperdense and non-hyperdense large vascular occlusions (LVO).
There are 7.6 million new cases of acute ischemic stroke every year, and 30% of those are caused by LVOs, which are blocked cerebral arteries. The software can also be used to spot intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) in NCCT scans, making it useful in circumstances where a brain hemorrhage is suspected.
“We are decreasing time to treatment and, in turn, improving patient result and saving expenses,” Pau Rodriquez, CEO of Methinks, told Medical Device Network.
In order to improve patient outcomes, it is essential to recognize the warning signs of a stroke quickly. There will be less people who become paralyzed or have impaired motor control, decreasing the amount of time spent in rehabilitation.
According to Brain Research UK, nearly two-thirds of stroke survivors are disabled upon hospital discharge.
According to Shabnam Pervez, an analyst at GlobalData, “Artificial Intelligence in triaging is something that the UK’s NHS originally started utilizing 10 years ago in its virtual wards to monitor patients.”
The NHS’s data was used to determine which patients were at the greatest risk of requiring emergency treatment.
According to Rodriquez, “the potential for endovascular treatments is immense,” and this technology can help make that potential a reality.
Some European hospitals have used the Class 2b device, and it has been validated retroactively in 3,779 cases where doctors suspected a stroke. Prospective research is being conducted in the United States by the Barcelona, Spain-based firm.
Digital diagnosis is a growing field, but Rodriquez makes it clear that the Methinks Stroke Suite is just a supplementary tool.
The radiologist is still needed despite of AI
Methinks is developing a number of products with stroke management at their core. All of these initiatives are made with the intention of improving health pathways by revealing more data on causes of strokes.
Possible benefits include improved accessibility and a reduction in waiting time for stroke diagnosis in clinical settings.
The company received CE certification after closing a $15.6 million venture capital agreement in 2022.
Currently available on the market and approved by the FDA, RapidAI’s software helps with stroke management by identifying LVOs in a similar fashion.
Clot removal treatments are expected to increase by 10-15% year, according to GlobalData. Because of this, and because of tools like Methinks and RapidAI, the market is expected to grow rapidly.
Data management, remote surgery, diagnostic and procedural Artificial Intelligence helpers, drug development, and clinical trial design are just few of the life sciences areas where AI is already being employed extensively. The problem is that data can sometimes lead to errors,” stated Pervez.
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