KINGSTON — A donation is helping Kingston Health Sciences Centre access a new artificial intelligence imaging suite that will help patients access faster MRI scans, sharper images and a more comfortable experience, the organization said in a media release on Wednesday.
The $103,000 donation from Kingston philanthropist Stephen Sorensen will fund the installation of the Deep Resolve artificial intelligence (AI) imaging suite from Siemens Healthineers on KHSC’s 3-Tesla MRI scanner.
The scanner is currently operating on 2018 software, the hospital organization said.
“The Deep Resolve upgrade will modernize the system with today’s leading AI capabilities, extending the life and performance of this essential diagnostic tool, while also helping meet the growing demand for advanced MRI services across southeastern Ontario,” the release stated.
“The donation brings this latest generation of AI-assisted image reconstruction technology to one of the region’s most important diagnostic imaging tools. The AI-powered software upgrade will allow more patients to be scanned each day while enhancing the overall patient experience.”
The imaging suite will deliver three new applications: Deep Resolve Pro will help speed up MRI exams, while also improving the image quality across studies; Deep Resolve Swift Brain allows for rapid brain imaging for critically ill patients in emergency and inpatient settings; and Zoomit Pro helps create exceptionally detailed imaging of structure like the prostate and spinal cord.
“This upgrade will improve both image quality and workflow,” Tudor Chibacu, senior MRI technologist at KHSC, said in a supplied statement. “Patients will spend less time in the scanner, examinations will become more efficient, and the enhanced images will help provide the information radiologists need to make confident diagnoses.”
“I was pleased to help support the initial acquisition of this 3-Tesla MRI system several years ago, so it’s especially rewarding to help ensure it continues to perform at the highest level,” Sorensen said in a supplied statement. “One of the most effective forms of health-care philanthropy is helping hospitals get even more value from the equipment they already own. Medical technology evolves quickly, and today’s AI software can dramatically improve the performance of existing systems. This investment will extend the value of a major capital investment already made by the community.”
Installation of the software and specialized training for MRI technologists at KHSC will begin soon, the hospital organization said.
