Dutch giant Philips unveiled AI-powered diagnostic and treatment imaging innovations at last week’s RSNA conference in Chicago.

The goal is to advance precise imaging with faster, easier and more efficient workflows. Addressing key problems faced by radiologists, these innovations are complemented by Philips’ expertise in cloud-based data management, visualisation, automation and AI.

Together, they aim to reduce the administrative burden and empower clinicians with insights to deliver better care for more people.

“The healthcare industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges in radiology: increasing patient volumes, skyrocketing demand for imaging studies, and an explosion in imaging data,” said Bert van Meurs, chief business leader of diagnosis and treatment at Philips (www.philips.com). “At the same time, staff shortages are creating mounting pressure on already strained resources. Our intelligent imaging systems combined with our world-class informatics support healthcare providers in embracing innovations that enhance efficiency, reduce the administrative burden, and empower radiologists to focus on delivering precise, high-quality care.”

The Philips Future Health Index 2024 report (www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/future-health-index/reports/2024/better-care-for-more-people.html) shows 99% of radiologists surveyed struggle with staff shortages, with nearly four in five facing financial pressures, and 45% experiencing symptoms of burnout.

Radiologists are also seeing a 40% increase in patients with complex diseases in clinical areas such as cardiology and neurology, which is driving the need for imaging exams and a 60% increase in imaging data.

At RSNA, Philips demonstrated how it is positioned to help mitigate these problems with innovations that advance precision imaging for more patients and enhance productivity through seamless integration of imaging and informatics.

Philips also unveiled a wide-bore, high-performance helium-free MR scanner with integrated cloud-based, AI-driven, automated quantitative reporting capabilities for specific disease areas such as neurology and oncology. With AI assistance at every step of the workflow, from planning to imaging and reporting, the BlueSeal 1.5T MRI can boost productivity, ease of use and access to precision diagnosis around the world, while caring for the planet. This is said to be the lightest 70cm system available today, making it easier to install and cost-effective to maintain, enabling flexible installations and wider access in new locations.

Making its debut in North America at RSNA was the AI-enabled CT 5300, featuring precise image AI-based reconstruction software to assist at every step of the CT workflow, while reducing radiation dose and improving image quality for complex exams such as cardiac imaging. Philips also spotlighted the Spectral CT 7500, providing spectral CT across a wide range of clinical areas including cardiology, oncology, neurology, musculoskeletal and paediatrics.

Philips is elevating image quality in ultrasound with the latest releases of its Epiq Elite (www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HC795098/epiq-elite-a-new-class-of-premium-ultrasound-has-arrived) and Affiniti (www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/solutions/ultrasound/ultrasound-vascular/ultrasound-systems) systems featuring workflow and quantification automation to make exams faster and reproducible to help increase clinical confidence.

Also showcased was the Azurion 7 (www.philips.com.au/healthcare/resources/landing/azurion/biplane) platform to support image-guided interventional procedures with a 17% reduction in procedure time and a 12% reduction in patient preparation time, bringing the ability to treat one more patient per day.

At RSNA, Philips showed its healthcare informatics capabilities for data management, visualisation, automation and AI to help reduce administrative burdens and empower clinicians with insights to deliver better care.

Philips also announced 510(k) clearance for its radiology operations command centre remote scanning and remote protocol management features enabling real-time collaboration between imaging experts and on-site technologists, virtually anywhere, to help streamline radiology operations and workflows to provide high-quality imaging to more patients at lower costs.