GE to Integrate Spectronic AI-based Software for MR-only Radiotherapy Planning

GE Healthcare announced the integration of Spectronic Medical AB AI-based software with its AIR Recon DL technology to enable MR-only based radiotherapy planning for better soft tissue differentiation than traditional CT. Spectronic’s software, currently pending 510(k) clearance with the US FDA clearance, converts high-quality MRI images into synthetic CT images, providing clinicians with CT images that have the MR soft tissue details they need to more accurately target lesions and help improve patient outcomes. The process begins with GE Healthcare’s AIR Recon DL, a deep learning image reconstruction technology that makes full use of all the raw data coming off the MR scanner to reduce image noise, maximize image quality and resolution, and shorten scan times.

Currently, CT images are the industry standard for radiation treatment planning; however, these images do not provide appreciable soft tissue contrast, which is especially important for the most common types of radiation oncology therapies in the brain, head-neck and pelvis.

 "We have found MR imaging in radiation therapy improves the accuracy of our treatment delivery,” said Adalsteinn Gunnlaugsson, MD, PhD at Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. “With the single sequence approach of the Spectronic MRI Planner software, generated synthetic CT allows us to eliminate conventional CT examination and the need for multimodal image registration. MR only radiation therapy planning with our GE SIGNA Architect MR Radiation Oncology Solution allows us to streamline our clinical workflow and deliver treatment more precisely to our patients.”

 “By using an MR image and creating a synthetic CT image, our MRI Planner software is designed to improve accuracy, increasing the precision by which radiotherapy can be delivered to the patient, as well as simplifying the physician’s workflow,” said Spectronic Medical CEO Carl Siversson. “Our customers say the benefits are enormous –it could increase the chances of successful cancer treatment and minimize the negative side-effects from radiotherapy, which often follow patients throughout their lives.”

 “Already, AIR Recon DL has benefited over a half a million patients around the world, with clinical users observing sharper and less noisy images and up toa 50% reduction in exam times3,”said Ben Newton, general manager, Oncology, at GE Healthcare. “Now, we are delighted to combine this breakthrough image reconstruction technology with Spectronic’s AI-based software for use in brain, pelvic, head and neck radiotherapy planning4. Together, we are introducing a full AI and Deep Learning based MR radiation oncology solution to healthcare providers to help enable high-precision treatment planning and improve clinical outcomes for thousands of radiotherapy patients.”