Clinical Review: Accuracy of AI Software for the Detection of Confirmed Pleural Effusion in Dogs

by | Apr 22, 2022 | Peer Reviews

Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Software for the Detection of Confirmed Pleural Effusion in Thoracic Radiographs in Dogs

STUDY AUTHORS

Thiago Rinaldi Müller, Mauricio Solano, Mirian Harumi Tsunemi

Abstract

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in diagnostic radiology is a developing area in veterinary medicine and may provide substantial benefit in many clinical settings. These range from timely image interpretation in the emergency setting when no boarded radiologist is available to allowing boarded radiologists to focus on more challenging cases that require complex medical decision making. Testing the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) software in veterinary medicine is at its early stages, and only a scant number of reports of validation of AI software have been published. 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of an AI algorithm (Vetology AI®) in the detection of pleural effusion in thoracic radiographs of dogs. 

  • In this retrospective, diagnostic case–controlled study, 62 canine patients were recruited.
    • A control group of 21 dogs with normal thoracic radiographs
    • and a sample group of 41 dogs with confirmed pleural effusion were selected from the electronic medical records at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
  • The images were cropped to include only the area of interest (i.e., thorax).
  • The software then classified images into those with pleural effusion and those without.
  • The AI algorithm was able to determine the presence of pleural effusion with 88.7% accuracy (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity were 90.2% and 81.8%, respectively (positive predictive value, 92.5%; negative predictive value, 81.8%).

The application of this technology in the diagnostic interpretation of thoracic radiographs in veterinary medicine appears to be of value and warrants further investigation and testing.

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Clinical Review: AI vs. Veterinary Radiologist on Canine Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

by | Jan 19, 2022 | Peer Reviews

Comparison of Artificial Intelligence to the Veterinary Radiologist's Diagnosis of Canine Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

STUDY AUTHORS

Eunbee Kim, Anthony J. Fischetti, Pratheev Sreetharan, Joel G. Weltman, Philip R. Fox

Abstract

Application of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve clinical diagnosis is a burgeoning field in human and veterinary medicine. The objective of this prospective, diagnostic accuracy study was to determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of an AI-based software for diagnosing canine cardiogenic pulmonary edema from thoracic radiographs, using an American College of Veterinary Radiology-certified veterinary radiologist’s interpretation as the reference standard.

  • Five hundred consecutive canine thoracic radiographs made after-hours by a veterinary Emergency Department were retrieved.
  • A total of 481 of 500 cases were technically analyzable.
  • Based on the radiologist’s assessment:
    • 46 (10.4%) of these 481 dogs were diagnosed with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE+).
    • Of these cases, the AI software designated 42 of 46 as CPE+ and four of 46 as cardiogenic pulmonary edema negative (CPE−).
  • Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the AI-based software compared to radiologist diagnosis were:
    • 92.3%, 91.3%, and 92.4%, respectively
    • (positive predictive value, 56%; negative predictive value, 99%).

Findings supported using AI software screening for thoracic radiographs of dogs with suspected cardiogenic pulmonary edema to assist with short-term decision-making when a radiologist is unavailable.

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Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Radiology

Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Radiology

by | Jan 29, 2021 | AI Software, Podcasts, reviews2

Join the clever minds behind the Veterinary Innovation Podcast – Shawn Wilkie, CEO of Talkatoo and Dr. Ivan Zak, CEO of Veterinary Integration Solutions – as we discuss veterinary radiology with our own Dr. Seth Wallack, DACVR.

One of the largest issues in veterinary radiology today is an incredibly high caseload. Radiologists in North America consult on 2.5 million cases per year, and that number is projected to more than double within the next three years. With fewer educational opportunities available in radiology, how can this vital specialization keep up with the demand?

This week on the Veterinary Innovation Podcast, Shawn and Ivan speak with Dr. Seth Wallack, the founder and CEO of Vetology, about how artificial intelligence can improve the workflow of clinical radiologists, whether we’re too late in adopting it, and how the best veterinarians are those who are most eager to learn.

Topics Covered in the Conversation

  • The shrinking number of Radiologists and how AI can fill those gaps.
  • The adoption of new technologies in clinical radiology.
  • Higher amounts of specialization in veterinary medicine.
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This article was originally published on October 1, 2022

Innovations in The Use of AI Veterinary Radiology Products

Innovations in The Use of AI Veterinary Radiology Products

by | Jan 29, 2021 | AI Software

As technology rapidly advances, AI veterinary radiology products are reshaping the field of veterinary medicine. These innovations offer new opportunities for veterinary practices to enhance diagnostics and care. In this article you will learn how:
  • AI enhances veterinary radiology for quicker, precise imaging assessments.
  • Wearable devices will revolutionize pet health monitoring and care.
  • Combining AI with human expertise ensures better patient outcomes.
  • AI-driven consultations reduce wait times and improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • Developments AI in veterinary medicine are paving the way for personalized medicine and genomics.

The implementation of artificial intelligence in the field of veterinary radiology allows doctors to receive crucial diagnostic information almost immediately.

The world of medicine is constantly changing, and the veterinary medical field is no different. Technology is advancing rapidly, and the rule is to adapt to these changes or succumb to the consequences. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary radiology is a relatively new area. Leaders in this field are ethically responsible for providing correct product knowledge to the veterinary community, and should follow the principles of transparency, honesty, and integrity. At the same time, veterinary professionals eager to use this new technology must understand that the field is ever-evolving. As such, offered products will be in different development stages. Good Machine Learning Practices (GMLP) should be adhered to and documented.1

AI in veterinary medicine – potential areas of impact

Implementing an artificial intelligence strategy is a must for veterinary practices moving into the future. Access to specialists is not always available to hospitals or clients, and AI offers an attractive solution. However, experts believe that depending solely on AI can be detrimental. A strategic combination of both human competency and AI technology is important to drive the best care.

Some of the products related to AI in veterinary practice have already been in the marketplace for years. These are expected to gain immense popularity in the near future. The market for global wearable devices for the remote monitoring of pet health and activity is forecast to reach over $8 billion by year 2025.

When it comes to the human health market, similar products have gained in popularity. These are known for measuring simple parameters such as movement, heart rate, and body temperature. In addition, these devices keep tabs on food intake. They will make recommendations based on appropriate behavioral responses. For instance, these devices will inform diabetic patients about requirements for glucose or insulin.

New devices with the capability of measuring other important parameters will soon be available. In the veterinary field, cattle can be fitted with movement sensors to identify the onset of estrus. Similar technology will no doubt become available for other species, including pigs. At present, these sensors are quite expensive, especially for routine usage. Special efforts are being made to produce low-cost versions of the technology that would make them more accessible to farming operations.

This process will emulate the rapid decrease in the cost of genome analysis, resulting in possible developments of custom-made medicines in animals and human patients. Apart from identifying individuals with genotypes that may make them more or less vulnerable to the effects of specific drugs, professionals will also carry out genomic analyses on microbiome samples from the skin, gut, and other sites to evaluate which disease-causing organisms may exist in the patient’s body. There have been speculations on whether these approaches will ultimately lead to a reduction in the demand for antibiotics.

Advancements in monitoring technologies will similarly lead to challenges in processing and applying the available data. It is believed that doctors will have access to 200 times more data than the human mind can process. Consequently, another priority is the development of artificial intelligence software that analyzes this mass of information and draws precise conclusions about its meaning.

Google and Apple have special teams working on these issues. Significant development has already been seen; a team has produced diagnostic software that can easily identify human patients with early indications of diabetes. It is based on constant measurements of heart rate variation. This technology and others will change the way clinical practice operates.

Current applications

1. Medical imaging processing and assessment

The use of AI in this area includes quick yet precise and sensitive interpretations of radiographs, MRI images, CT scans, ultrasound images, and cytology assessments. At present, all aspects of AI are progressing exponentially, from computer processing power, speed, and affordability, to the development of machine vision reference directories. Hence, it is expected that most standard tasks involving clinical interpretation in veterinary practice will be allotted to AI. This will help veterinarians obtain quick, accurate, and detailed reports as well as consistency in interpretation, a factor that currently depends on the experience and skill level of the individual practitioner.

2. First-line primary consultations

This is another area where AI shows enormous potential. For human patients, smart kiosks are available that cut down on wait times, a major source of dissatisfaction among patients and stress for physicians. However, a combination of AI and detailed AR (augmented reality) instructions ensures a consistent, accurate, and detailed collection of crucial patient history and physical examination data. This is provided and collected by the patients themselves while they are guided through the entire procedure. After collecting the relevant data (usually completed in under 15 minutes), the doctor is sent a detailed patient work-up that includes a proper breakdown of predicted illnesses and treatment options. The medical practitioner then conducts a video consultation in order to confirm the authenticity of the AI-collected information, verify the diagnosis, and approve or alter the treatment plan. AI will also help maintain detailed and accurate healthcare records, and will automatically follow up with patients within a few days of the consultation.

Special efforts are being made to roll out veterinary-related versions of this system. Experts in the field believe that this technology will significantly augment the experience of clients and their pets. Implementation of this technology will also improve the professional lives of veterinarians, who face similar issues of stress and overload as their human physician counterparts.

Using artificial intelligence software provides an attractive option for all doctors, allowing them to receive crucial diagnostic information almost immediately.

Author disclosure statement: Eric Goldman is President of Vetology AI, a company that designs and delivers service innovation for the veterinary industry. He has a financial interest in Vetology Innovations LLC. For more information visit vetology.ai.

 

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1American Association of Veterinary Radiologists guidelines, submission and review process for Veterinary Radiology Artificial Intelligence (AI) AAVR GMLP SaMD Product Certification— American Association of Veterinary Radiologists.

Vetology’s AI Technology is Eligible for Pet Insurance Coverage

Vetology’s AI Technology is Eligible for Pet Insurance Coverage

by | Aug 29, 2020 | News

Vetology's Leading AI Technology for Veterinary Radiograph Interpretations is Eligible for Pet Insurance Coverage

SAN DIEGO, CA – Aug 29, 2020 –  PRNewswire-PRWeb – The use of AI technology for diagnosing covered conditions in veterinary medicine is now eligible for coverage by Embrace Pet Insurance.

The field of veterinary artificial intelligence (AI) technology is growing rapidly, and pet insurance companies are taking notice and expanding coverage. One of those insurance companies — Embrace Pet Insurance — will cover the use of AI technology for diagnosing covered conditions in animals.

“This a vital step in acceptance by insurance companies in both animal and human medicine alike,” said Eric Goldman, President of Vetology AI, a leading provider of AI teleradiology technology for the veterinary industry. “It is only a matter of time to see how the Vetology AI continues to evolve and improve pet care.”

For the last several years, AI has been a hot topic in medicine and technology as it helped streamline efficiency and gain accuracy. AI is concerned with the development of smart machines or programs that are capable of performing tasks that require human intelligence. To stay current with advancing technologies and trends in veterinary medicine, many pet insurance companies, like Embrace, are learning more about what AI teleradiology can do for diagnostics. Embrace covers the technology as part of the diagnosis of covered conditions, but pet owners should refer to their pet insurance provider’s terms and conditions to confirm that this diagnostic reporting is covered under their accident and illness policies.

Vetology is the first to use AI as well as machine learning for reading radiographs. The technology allows veterinary practices the ability to receive clinical findings and recommendations in a matter of minutes, rather than spending hours or days while radiographs are sent out to third parties for report generation.

For improving veterinary teleradiology’s long-term availability and affordability for all practices, Vetology’s AI targets four main areas. These include technology, service, expertise to add clinical value to services provided, and stability for a portion of the teleradiology markets in terms of turnaround time and price.

Vetology and its parent company, the Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego, is a worldwide teleradiology service provider that was established in 2010. Even with the inclusion of new technology, and AI, Vetology is an expert in traditional teleradiology. It is the second half of the AI radiologist model that Vetology offers.

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To learn more, contact Vetology for a demo.

ABOUT VETOLOGY

Vetology AI is the creator and leader of zero touch, hybrid Artificial Intelligence / Human intelligence veterinary teleradiology service called SmartAI™. SmartAI™ is the combination of Artificial Intelligence backed by experienced, board certified veterinary radiologists. Vetology AI combines years of board certified veterinary teleradiology experience with the increased interpretation speed, accuracy and productivity AI brings to veterinary radiology. Vetology AI offers a highly cost effective AI radiograph solution that typically delivers reports back to the veterinarian in five minutes or less. The company utilizes an automatic, zero touch proprietary submission and report process that does not alter a veterinary hospital’s current radiology workflow. To learn more, contact Vetology AI for a demo or call (888) 416-2124.

 

ABOUT EMBRACE PET INSURANCE

Embrace Pet Insurance, a part of NSM Insurance Group, is a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States. Embrace offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, a non-insurance, optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more, with no itemized limitations. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit EmbracePetInsurance.com or call (800) 660-3817.

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