AI Detects Four Diseases in One Scan: Medical Imaging Application Gains Favor from NVIDIA

Originally published in Minsheng Headlines / Reported by Yang Ruiqiu.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently made a whirlwind visit to Taiwan, sparking a frenzy! During a speech held at National Taiwan University on the 2nd, he shared updates on AI advancements. Among the highlights of his speech, the most attention-grabbing aspect was the mention of technology companies and institutions featured on the backdrop. In addition to well-known industry giants, one of the rising stars in the medical imaging field caught the spotlight—DeepRad.AI, dedicated to promoting innovative applications of medical imaging through AI technology. Being recognized as a partner in NVIDIA’s supply chain is a significant achievement for the company, which is led by a team of experienced radiologists and AI engineers. DeepRad.AI aims to achieve early disease detection and prevention, reducing the mortality rates associated with various diseases.

DeepRad.AI is a startup company derived from Taipei Medical University, founded by former Vice President Dr. Chen Zhenyu. The company also made its debut at Computex 2024! The team developed the Deep-Lung-CAC screening software, which uses deep learning to analyze low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) images for detecting risks of four diseases: lung cancer, coronary artery calcification, osteoporosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and Taiwan is no exception. The National Health Service indicates that although Taiwan’s age-standardized lung cancer death rate has dropped by 16.2%, it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths. In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the early lung cancer detection program in 2022, offering LDCT screenings for high-risk groups with a family history or heavy smoking habits.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the only scientifically proven tool internationally for the early detection of lung cancer. However, each scan generates approximately 300 images, which can be challenging for physicians to interpret, placing a heavy burden on them. By integrating AI technology, the time spent on interpretation is significantly reduced, and it can precisely detect lesions that are difficult for the human eye to see, enabling early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

DeepLung-CAC not only detects lung nodules but also provides added value in screening for three other diseases. Among them, “coronary artery calcification” is an important indicator for assessing cardiovascular diseases. Its risks include arterial hardening and vessel narrowing, which can easily lead to myocardial infarction and stroke. According to the top ten leading causes of death in Taiwan in 2022, cancer and heart disease rank as the top two, with a combined death toll of over 75,000 people.

Especially, lung cancer and myocardial infarction are silent health killers, with almost no symptoms in the early stages. By the time symptoms become severe, it is often too late. As the severity of the disease increases, patients may need to spend more money, endure side effects and discomfort from treatments, and their families may have to invest more mental and emotional energy in caring for them. Medical expenses also increase, creating a vicious cycle. The prevention and treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases cannot be ignored, and if preventive measures are well implemented early on, there is hope for reversing the situation.

Therefore, the most important goal of the DeepRad.AI team is to achieve “simultaneous heart and lung screening.” Through AI-powered lung screening, early heart disease detection can be performed simultaneously. With the aging society approaching, there is a growing emphasis on the concept of preventive medicine. In addition to lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis is also a major threat to the health of the elderly. A minor fall or excessive strain can lead to fractures, even causing long-term disability. Moreover, globally, one person dies from COPD every 10 seconds. In the face of various health threats, the DeepLung-CAC system enables screening for four diseases in one go. In as little as 3 minutes, a report can be generated with a single click for the physician’s diagnosis. This provides the public with more comprehensive medical care. Therefore, it not only shortens the interpretation time but also significantly enhances medical capacity, reduces healthcare burdens and waste, and most importantly, helps safeguard the health of the entire population.