Researchers have developed two significant AI tools aimed at improving healthcare: one for stroke treatment and another for aggressive skin cancer management.
In the UK, a team from Imperial College London, Munich University of Technology, and Edinburgh University has created an AI model that can read brain scans of stroke patients with double the accuracy of current methods. This technology could enable up to 50% more patients to receive appropriate treatment by accurately determining the timing of strokes, crucial for emergency care decisions.
Dr. Paul Bentley from Imperial College emphasized the importance of knowing the onset time of a stroke for effective treatment, stating, "Our software can be fully automated once a stroke is detected on a scan." This innovation may significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of stroke care.
Meanwhile, Newcastle University researchers have introduced 'DeepMerkel,' an AI tool designed to improve treatment outcomes for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), an aggressive skin cancer. This web-based system analyzes clinical data to provide personalized treatment predictions, helping doctors tailor interventions for nearly 11,000 patients.
Dr. Tom Andrew explained, "DeepMerkel helps us understand subtle patterns in data, allowing us to predict the progression and severity of MCC for each patient." The tool aims to identify high-risk patients earlier, facilitating timely and effective treatment decisions.
Both advancements highlight the transformative role of AI in healthcare, potentially leading to better patient outcomes in stroke management and cancer treatment.