Mayo Clinic has signed a know-how license agreement with Imago Systems, a medical imaging company with an advanced machine learning software that is designed to dramatically improve a clinician’s ability to detect cancer and other abnormalities earlier and more accurately.
Imago Pilot Details
As part of the know-how license agreement, a breast imaging research specialist at Mayo Clinic will spearhead Imago’s pilot and pivotal studies to clinically validate Imago’s visual intelligence software as applied to screening mammograms. Mayo Clinic’s involvement will play a critical role in the evolution of its machine learning technology called Visual Intelligence to improve breast imaging across multiple imaging modalities.
Imago’s software platform reveals the structure of the entire breast, including what dense tissue normally hides, providing a level of detail that cannot be identified with current mammographic technology.
Difficulties Screening Accurately With A Mammogram Alone
Deaths from breast cancer have topped 40,000 each year, and approximately 40 percent of women in the U.S. have dense breast tissue, which is very difficult to screen accurately with a mammogram alone. This technology, which does not require any additional radiation exposure, has the potential to be a highly effective, and safer, tool in the fight against breast cancer.
Converting Unstructured Image Data into Structured, Highly Informative Visual Intelligence
Unique to Imago are its intelligent algorithms that “re-visualize” grayscale images, such as mammograms, to create new images that deliver greater levels of information and insight, or Visual Intelligence. This patent-pending technology is designed to increase clinicians’ diagnostic confidence across all medical imaging modalities and will optimize data to improve efforts in developing artificial intelligence, machine learning, drug development, and genomics. The company’s initial focus is on improvements in mammography and breast health screening.
By leveraging sophisticated image visualization and analytics, Imago ICE platform is able to display the information clinicians need within the images they already have. Imago’s technology is effective with current 2D and 3D images, making them measurably clearer and more informative, supporting better decision-making.
Why It Matters
“We are very excited about our collaboration with Mayo Clinic, and its support in advancing our imaging technology for better care. Mayo Clinic is a leader in breast cancer detection and treatment, and an advocate for the use of technology to advance healthcare,” said Thomas Ramsay, Chairman, and CEO of Imago Systems. “Our technology puts more information into the hands of radiologists and clinicians so that they can make the best possible diagnosis. This agreement with Mayo Clinic will help validate our technology and provide us with a stepping stone for full commercialization.”
Financial Details
Mayo Clinic has financial interest in the technology referenced in this press release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
