Deep Learning Reconstruction – a Game Changer in CT Imaging

A Deep Learning Reconstruction Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, built into an Aquilion ONE / GENESIS Edition CT

scanner is delivering a ‘new era’ of patient imaging at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Patient dose reductions of up to 90% below National Diagnostic Reference Levels (NDRLs) have been achieved at Leighton Hospital in Crewe using the Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE), a Deep Learning Reconstruction AI algorithm integrated into its new Canon Medical CT scanner. The low doses have even been achieved when examining traditionally difficult to image patients such as severely ill patients with their arms by their sides, patients unable to hold their breath and bariatric patients.

“Advanced Deep Learning Reconstruction of clinical images using AiCE heralds a new era in CT. It enables phenomenal patient dose reduction, up to 90% below the National Diagnostic Reference Levels, at the same time as providing extremely high-quality clinical images and all in a rapid timeframe suitable for everyday clinical use. This goes far beyond model-based iterative reconstruction on CT and as Canon Medical was first to innovate in this area, it offers the most mature system of this kind,” states Dr. Richard Hawkins, Consultant Radiologist at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He continues, “The clinical images generated using AiCE are much more natural and acceptable in appearance to radiologists reporting on cases. Previously, with model-based iterative reconstruction, the images looked as if they had been painted with watercolours. This is a great improvement – once you see them you’ll never look back. As a department we have always been very proactive when it comes to keeping patient dose down and our experiences of using the system every day for inpatients and outpatients has exceeded our expectations. AiCE is a game changer for radiology.”

“Advancements in Artificial Intelligence to further the capacity and capabilities of radiology are very exciting. It isn’t theory or pilot studies, it is real and being used in the UK by busy NHS hospitals to power the improvement in patient care, speed-up processes and empower clinical confidence,” states Mark Thomas, CT Modality Manager at Canon Medical. “AiCE is trained using a deep learning algorithm to differentiate ‘noise’ from true signal, reducing distortions, preserving edges and maintaining details in image outputs at the same time as achieving lower doses than ever seen before in routine CT imaging.” //