3 Key Technologies Improving Medical Imaging

By Aisha Wilcox, Imaging Manager, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Aisha Wilcox, Imaging Manager, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Technologies like AI, 3D printing, and AR are the efficiency of medical imaging, thereby improving treatment and care.

This era is pretty interesting for the field of medical imaging, as firms are thriving to bring out the latest developments in the field. Indeed, as the healthcare industry looks to futuristic technologies, so does radiology. Here is a take on the top imaging technologies and how they will continue to evolve and help deliver better care.

• Artificial Intelligence

There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the radiology sector by storm, and now the focus is on how to make the technology work even better with radiologists. Without getting into how exactly it will be deployed and for what use cases, below is a representation of how it will change the patient experience. The doctor will be navigated by AI on the best imaging test to be conducted on the patient, instead of performing one and then having to order a second. The process of getting a magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan would be faster compared to now, when the technician would have AI to position for the machine, preparing the right settings for the scan.

• Augmented Reality

Augmented reality and virtual reality are finding several applications in healthcare. Three-dimensional imaging has enhanced the ability to better visualize the patient's anatomy. The best solution has been to offer fluoroscopy support during the surgery itself. With AR, medical images can be mounted on AR headsets that the surgeon can wear while doing the surgery. An AR-based pre-surgical planning solution effectively reduces radiation exposure for patients while offering surgeons with better planning capabilities.

• Three-Dimensional Printing

Patients get an explanation of the operation that is about to be done before surgery. Some innovative approaches have leveraged AR to help patients understand their own anatomy and what will be happening during the surgery. Use of AR models and 3-D printed models for patient education. 3-D printed models are more effective at helping patients understand the specific details, thus assisting them to become more confident and secure in making the right surgical choices. 3-D printing is useful for surgeons to be better preparing for the surgeries.