IngeniumAI: automated disease detection technology (ICURe Cohort 38 Team 17)

We are developing software which brings the disease screening expertise of specialist radiologists to every radiology clinic. Our technology could provide early screening for many diseases by automatically processing routine CT scans acquired across healthcare systems. The software generates a personalised clinical report for each patient, highlighting clinically-validated measurements to inform radiologists and assist their decision making process. The software provides a platform to target a multitude of underdiagnosed conditions.

Such software equalises the quality of care available to patients. With potential for the software to be cloud-based it provides an accessible platform not dependent on the specific hospital system. Deployment of our software across all radiology clinics could drastically shorten the time-to-diagnosis and treatment by ensuring swift referral, leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced clinical burden, and associated economic costs while adding value to existing infrastructure.

There is a growing requirement for technology to bolster radiologists' disease screening ability and efficiency. Over 75% of all patient care involves radiology. After referral by a GP surgery, radiologists are often the first line of hospital defence in disease diagnosis by taking CT scans.

Although signs of disease often exist in the CT scan, most clinics are operated by general radiologists who are not equipped to spot all diseases. If signs of disease are not flagged at this stage, the patient will often make recurring visits to many clinical departments until eventually the disease should be flagged by a specialist radiologist. If a specialist radiologist had been able to see the patient in the early stages they would have been able to rapidly refer the patient for specialist care, providing much improved patient outcomes with reduced healthcare resources.

Our software facilitates general radiologists to make this initial screening step. Furthermore, radiologists are under growing pressure. Over the past ten years there has been a 325% increase in CT scans.

Yet in 2021 there was a 33% shortage in NHS consultant radiologists. By 2025 this shortage is set to rise to 44%. Our software could assist in easing this skills shortage whilst improving patient outcomes.