Top AI in Pharma & Healthcare in 2022
December 1, 2022
Physical Requirements of Artificial Intelligence
December 1, 2022FDA Cleared Imbio an AI programs for scanning lung diseases; Neuromuscular Tongue Stimulator for Snoring & Vitls Platform for Remote Patient Monitoring
Genentech taps Imbio to develop AI programs for scanning lung diseases.
The biotechnology company Genentech partnered with Imbio imaging software company to develop artificial intelligence-powered imaging. This technology aims to support radiologists and clinicians by providing more personalized diagnoses to their patients with both chronic and acute conditions.
The FDA clears Imbio’s programs. Its features include taking chest CT scans, providing an automated 3D visualization of lung tissue density, mapping out the organ areas that may be retaining air, and gauging data related to emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including individuals at risk.
The company also uses machine vision algorithms for investigational use in the regulatory process for clinical use, including Lung Texture Analysis (LTA), for pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. RV/LV Analysis for pulmonary embolism, an algorithm for coronary calcification for heart disease, and another providing detailed airway analysis for multiple lung diseases. The partnership between Imbio and Genentech can enhance drug development and deliver more personalized healthcare by providing its expertise both in imaging biomarkers and pulmonary disease.(1)
Neuromuscular Tongue Stimulator for Snoring Authorized by FDA
Millions of people are affected by Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition with a severe overall health toll. Several technologies have been developed to help manage this disease, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a hallmark in treating this illness. Most treatments do not target the underlying cause.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized The eXciteOSA, a device developed in the UK that alleviates OSA with the “De Novo process.” This device’s target consists of transmitting electrical stimulations that train and strengthen the muscles surrounding the base of the tongue. The strengthened muscles and electrical stimuli prevent the closing of the airway, enabling free movement of air to the lungs and, therefore, reducing snoring. Outstanding features include the practicality of treatment, which can be done at home or anytime; daily twenty-minute sessions for six weeks, and then weekly sessions after that. There are contraindications to this device, including patients with pacemakers, dental implants, and an Apnea-Hypopnea Index of 15 or higher. (2)
Vitls Platform Cleared in the US for Remote Patient Monitoring
A Texas-based company, Vitls INC, has earned FDA approval to develop a platform that carries the company name and is built to monitor vital signs. It is constituted by a skin patch called Tégo, cloud storage, and an interactive app that allows medical providers to monitor patients more efficiently. The Vitls platform registers and monitors the vital signs data of the patients. Such as the respiratory rate, heart rate & variability, body temperature, and oxygenation saturation of arterial blood. Some of this monitor’s most acclaimed features are its practicality as it has a battery that lasts up to six days, is wireless, and is built out of flexible materials. This versatility allows the clinical team to manage and monitor patients at home.
The aim is to make continuous vital signs monitoring of patients at home and in the clinical setting the standard of care. With the recent FDA approval, this goal is closer. There is a pressing need in healthcare for reliable, clinical-grade, continuous monitoring. Now especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.(3)