Australian groups look to AI for help in brain aneurysm diagnoses

Four Australian organisations have joined forces to develop an AI solution to improve brain aneurysm diagnoses.

Fujitsu Australia, GE Healthcare, Macquarie University and Macquarie Medical Imaging will collaborate on the research project. The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science have awarded a AU$2.1m grant to the group.

Aneurysms, caused by a weakness in the wall of a brain artery,  are present in at least two percent of adults globally. Ten percent of these people have multiple aneurysms.

Rupture of an aneurysm causes brain haemorrhage in 85 percent of cases. Between 30-40 percent of people die from it while 20 percent suffer permanent disability.

"As the consequences of brain aneurysm rupture are often fatal, effective and expedient detection is crucial," said Matt Tucker, President and CEO GE Healthcare Australia and New Zealand.

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

Initial focus will be on refining the technology, with a view to creating a commercialised solution for brain aneurysm diagnoses.

Detecting brain aneurysms

Fujitsu will apply AI methods to images of the brain generated by GE’s Revolution CT scanner.  They will use a specifically-trained algorithm to look for abnormalities and aneurysms.

"AI in particular has the capability to make our daily lives more comfortable," said Mike Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand.

"(It can) contribute to solving difficult problems such as detecting serious medical issues early and allowing more timely treatment intervention."

Professor John Magnussen, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist at Macquarie Medical Imaging, was excited at the potential of AI.

"By creating an AI assistant to automatically flag potential aneurysms and allow for accurate follow-up, we can make a huge difference to patient care."