Companies like Siemens Healthineers have long been established with their platforms, and Philips is preparing the market launch of their AI manager in Germany.
(Photo: Reuters)
Dusseldorf Radiologists at the University Hospital in Essen view almost 200 computed tomography (CT) scans every day. “A quick diagnostician analyzes 40 CT examinations a day,” says Felix Nensa, radiologist at the university hospital.
Artificial intelligence (AI) helps doctors to evaluate X-ray images faster and more accurately. “Meanwhile, however, there is a whole circus of AI applications,” says Nensa. Doctors lose track.
Installing individual algorithms in the respective hospital system and checking data protection requirements is quite tedious. Various companies have recognized the clinics’ need for guidance and are offering platforms as a complete AI package.
The market is still young, many hospitals are looking for a suitable offer. “Once a clinic has decided on a platform provider, it stays with them,” reports radiologist Nensa. He is planning a final decision by his house in the next two years.
Medical technicians, pharmaceutical companies and start-ups hear their tills ringing and position themselves. It is estimated that the market for AI in medical imaging will grow by 26 percent by 2026 and reach a turnover of 1.36 billion US dollars. In 2021, $400 million was generated. Philips announced to Handelsblatt Inside that it would be bringing its AI Manager platform to German clinics later this year.
Philips starts pilot projects in Germany
80 software programs from 35 providers are on the platform, which is connected to a cloud and runs via the Philips PACS. This is an image archiving and communication system running on several computers. Philips would like to start in Germany initially as part of pilot projects.
According to Siemens Healthineers, it lists a medium double-digit number of apps and programs on its platform. Since publication, the Siemens subsidiary has 6,500 medical facilities connected to the system. According to the company, the product is profitable. Fujifilm also wants to win over German clinics in the future. The REILi system has been on the global market for over five years and offers 25 AI programs.
Bayer wants to link Blackford and Calantic
The pharmaceutical company Bayer recently announced the acquisition of the company Blackford Analysis. 90 algorithms can analyze X-ray images from a wide variety of medical fields. After more than ten years in the market, the platform is used in more than 750 clinical sites, mainly in the US and the UK. Bayer’s plan: Blackford is to be linked to the in-house platform Calantic Digital Solution in order to start directly in German clinics. According to the company, talks with hospitals are still ongoing.
Deepc and Incepto work without hardware
Managing Director Franz Pfister from Deepc also relies on partnerships with PACS providers. With a fresh investment of twelve million euros, he wants to further expand the platform for manufacturers. “Customers should be able to monitor their AI applications in clinics through us,” he says. Manufacturers can thus keep an eye on error messages and assess risks.
Deepc is used in around 50 clinics. The platform works independently of hardware – a difference to established competitors. As a decision-making aid, the AI applications at Deepc can also be financed with funds provided under the Hospital Future Act (KHZG).
The French competitor Incepto is just starting its business in Germany. “We have three customers,” says Clemens Janus, who is responsible for the German business. The start-up has a total of around 160 partnerships and is active in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland. Unlike Deepc, Incepto also develops its own AI programs: “We make sure that our software complements what our customers offer,” says Janus. A total of 25 AI models are available.
ImageBiopsy Lab represented everywhere
Algorithms from ImageBiopsy Lab are listed on almost all platforms. The Austrian start-up was founded in 2016 and today has almost 200 clinical installations in Europe and the USA. The AI programs use X-ray images to analyze, for example, whether there are broken bones or water retention.
Founder Richard Ljuhar sees two clear future trends in AI platforms for clinics: The software programs must cover as many medical disciplines as possible, such as radiology and cardiology. Physicians must also receive data on several issues.
This text was published on March 30th, 2023 in the Handelsblatt newsletter Digital Health.
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