Macquarie collaboration takes aim at brain aneurysms with AI

Fujitsu Australia, GE Healthcare, Macquarie University, and Macquarie Medical Imaging have announced a joint research collaboration that will focus on developing a solution that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and monitor brain aneurysms on scans faster and more efficiently.

The project has received a grant of AU$2.1 million from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science under the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) scheme.

Macquarie University and Macquarie Medical Imaging will provide clinical expertise for the development and testing of the technology provided by their partners.

Fujitsu will lead the initiative and leverage its AI and digital solutions capability through its dedicated innovation team in Australia. GE Healthcare will contribute through its leading medical imaging technology.

According to Fujitsu, the project will initially focus on refining the technology so that it can be commercially available for radiology practices in Australia and eventually worldwide.

The other part of the project is to create a planning tool for surgical intervention that uses fluid dynamic modelling to predict the risk of aneurysm rupture.

Brain aneurysms are a common disorder that are brought on by a weakness in the wall of a brain artery. Between 2 and 8 percent of adults have them. Should they rupture there is a high chance of death with a death rate of 30-40 percent in those who experience a rupture.

“As the consequences of brain aneurysm rupture are often fatal, effective and expedient detection is crucial,” President and CEO GE Healthcare Australia & New Zealand, Matt Tucker, said in a press release.

“Unfortunately screening and monitoring takes time and specialist expertise not afforded by every radiology practice. The application of AI can give doctors better insights more quickly and produce fewer variable results. We are proud to be part of this program that will transform brain aneurysm diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.”

Outcomes from this project are anticipated to include the development and validation of an AI algorithm capable of highlighting blood vessels within the circle of Willis, an arterial ring sited at the base of the brain, that may have one or more aneurysms.

This technology will also allow the tracking of identified aneurysms over time, providing radiologists with a valuable diagnostic support tool and patients with greater peace of mind that known aneurysms are being effectively monitored over the long term.