AiSentia - The next generation of contrast-enhanced imaging in computerised tomography (CT)

AiSentia is a spin-out from the University of Oxford consisting of a world-class team that delivers innovative healthcare solutions that champion patient care.

AiSentia's aim is to develop next generation clinical imaging technologies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support clinical decision-making on blood vessels. The proprietary AI-driven software has the ability to dramatically change best practice, reducing healthcare costs whilst improving the patient's experience and outcomes.

A computerised tomography (CT) scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure which uses x-rays impinging on a subject, such as the human body, to produce cross-sectional images, sometimes called 'slices', of a targeted region of the subject. The introduction of a contrast agent helps distinguish or "contrast" selected areas of the body from the surrounding tissue, which can be used to diagnose specific conditions.

However, for some patients who may require repeated hospital visits, the repeated exposure to X-rays is undesirable and may be detrimental to their health. Furthermore, some patients are also susceptible to anaphylactic shock, diabetic symptoms, or contrast induced nephropathy due to iodinated contrast which limits the ability for their doctors to use advanced imaging to diagnose potential issues.

In addition to the patient benefits, iodinated contrast media are excreted into the hospital toilets or home toilets over the next 24 hours entering the wastewater. Iodine is difficult to remove from the wastewater and is detrimental to the environment. The aim of AiSentia is to eliminate iodinated contrast media for CT imaging and improve the environment by reducing the amount of biopharmaceutical waste released in the wastewater system.

This project seeks to help these patients, the hospitals, and the environment by developing a ground-breaking software that means that CTA scans could be used routinely without patients having to be injected with contrast agents.

Once developed, AiSentia is expected to improve overall patient outcomes and standard-of-care delivering transformative effects by opening new markets, generating revenues and investment which benefits the UK economy and sustainability.