Intelligent Ultrasound Group Collaborating With the National Imaging Academy Wales

July 26, 2019 — Artificial intelligence (AI)-based ultrasound software and simulation company Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc (AIM: MED) has entered a collaboration with the National Imaging Academy Wales (NIAW) to develop AI tools to aid ultrasound scanning and enhance ultrasound education.

Both located in South Wales, NIAW and Intelligent Ultrasound share a common desire to improve ultrasound practice through education, innovation and research that will lead to improved clinical technique and as a result, improved patient care and outcomes.

Intelligent Ultrasound aims to make ultrasound easier for clinicians to use: For the clinic, it is developing real-time artificial intelligence-based clinical ultrasound image analysis software to improve scan quality and workflow; for the training room it manufactures advanced ultrasound training simulators to improve OBGYN, echocardiography and point-of-care sonography education. The company recently announced the signing of its first long-term licensing and co-development agreement with one of the world’s leading ultrasound equipment manufacturers to install its AI real-time image analysis software onto a range of specialty specific ultrasound systems marketed in the global healthcare market. More than 800 of Intelligent Ultrasound’s ScanTrainer, HeartWorks and BodyWorks Eve ultrasound simulators have been sold around the world, including to NIAW and other U.K. radiology academies to increase training opportunities. 

National Imaging Academy Wales opened in August 2018, funded by Welsh Government and NHS Wales to help address significant challenges across the diagnostic imaging workforce, enabling increased training capacity for radiologists in the first instance. As part of NHS Wales, NIAW provides comprehensive specialty training across all radiology imaging modalities including ultrasound, and is committed to training, collaboration, innovation and research. National Imaging Academy Wales is already a hub for diagnostic imaging in Wales and is progressing with developments to enhance radiology training and research.

This collaboration will combine Intelligent Ultrasound and NIAW’s complementary skills both to develop clinically relevant AI tools for the clinic and to improve ultrasound education by evaluating real-world simulator performance.

Phillip Wardle, M.D., NIAW director and consultant radiologist, said: “Working closer together, we both aim to develop simulation training and advanced deep-learning AI in ultrasound that will address the needs of current and future imaging workforce including sonographers and radiologists. By combining NIAW’s clinical expertise with Intelligent Ultrasound’s leading-edge in AI techniques and Simulation, we intend to help trainees in ultrasound to become proficient more quickly.”

For more information: www.intelligentultrasound.com