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Why is a software-assisted analysis of MRI images useful?

In conventional visual diagnosis, radiologists decide with the naked eye whether and to what extent abnormalities are present. However, even the smallest changes can play a role in the early detection of brain volume changes. At an early stage, these are often not yet detectable by the human eye, or only with great difficulty.

AIRAmed’s AI-based software detects changes and complements the diagnostic possibilities of your attending physician.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

What does AIRAscore structure do?

AIRAscore structure provides objective and comparable measured values. The software complements the visual findings of your doctor.
The software measures the MRI images of your brain and determines the total volume as well as the volumes of specific brain tissue and brain structures that could be relevant for your doctor.

At the same time, it checks whether the individual measurement results are within the normal range for your age and gender. Your attending physician receives all results in the form of a detailed evaluation report.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

What alternatives are there?

As an alternative, and in addition to measuring the brain volume with AIRAscore structure, it is possible to examine the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord. To obtain cerebrospinal fluid, a so-called lumbar puncture is necessary. To do this, the doctor inserts a thin needle, usually between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, and extracts the fluid. However, this examination has so far mainly been designed to diagnose or exclude Alzheimer’s dementia.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

How long does it take to create an evaluation report?

The creation of an AIRAscore evaluation report, including sending and receiving data, takes only 5 minutes on average.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

Which brain regions are measured?

We determine the volumes of all major tissue classes and brain structures. These include, for example, the midbrain, the pons, the cerebellum, the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus.

Depending on whether there are deviations from the normal value – also to what extent and within which structures – your doctor will have indications for or against a disease, enabling differential diagnoses across the entire neurodegenerative spectrum.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

Are follow-up examinations possible?

Earlier and improved progression analysis is one of our core objectives. For optimal comparability of several evaluation reports, the MRI images should ideally come from the same practice/scanner with the same sequence and measurement parameters.

Last update on 2023-09-20 by Cristobal Marin.

Can I order an examination even if I do not have any symptoms?

Absolutely. You can benefit from our analysis even before the first symptoms appear. It allows you to find out at an early stage whether your brain volume is age-appropriate. We even recommend that our clients have baseline values taken at an early stage. It provides an optimal basis to be able to correctly classify and evaluate later deteriorations right from the start.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

I have already had a head MRI. Do I still need a new MRI?

We will be glad to check whether your MRI images are suitable for our analysis. Write to us or call us directly! If the images are suitable, we can arrange an analysis directly.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

How is the quality of AIRAmed ensured?

The development of AIRAmed software solutions is subject to a strict quality assurance system according to international guidelines (ISO 13485), which is audited once a year by recognised, independent testing institutes. AIRAscore structure is a medical product that fulfils the safety standards and requirements demanded by the European health authorities and bears a CE mark.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

We cannot give a concrete recommendation for this. At what time and at what age an analysis makes sense depends on many different factors. We recommend a discussion with your specialist. He can reliably assess whether an AIRAmed analysis is advisable in your individual situation. The earlier general data collection takes place, the better changes can be identified.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

What risks are known?

AIRAscore structure provides information that is used to make decisions for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Despite all the care taken, it cannot be ruled out that in exceptional cases mis-segmentation and the associated incorrect measurements may occur. Since the software does not directly use the patient’s body, direct side effects can be ruled out.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

In which countries is the AIRAscore technology available?

AIRAscore has been CE-certified since June, 2020 and is approved as a medical device for all European countries.The software was FDA-cleared for the United States as of September, 2023. AIRAscore is already available as a commercial product at different sites in Europe. The technology will be available on a very limited basis in the United States in 2023.
Pilot sites in the U.S. are currently being analyzed, with a broader release expected in 2024.

Last update on 2023-09-20 by Nicole Dechert-Bausch.

How can I receive an AIRAscore assesment?

Usually, the image data acquired during a classic MRI examination of the head is sufficient for an evaluation.
After acquisition, the image data is sent to AIRAmed without specifying the patient's identity. The creation of the evaluation report itself is very fast.
After only a few minutes, your physician will have the results and can discuss the further procedure with you.
Your doctor is always the best source of information. We encourage you to speak with him or her if you have any questions about the exact procedure.

Last update on 2023-09-20 by Nicole Dechert-Bausch.

Technology

Why does AIRAmed use artificial intelligence?

With the help of artificial intelligence it is possible to process the enormous amounts of data that are necessary for our analyses. For example, over 11 million pixels have to be processed for a single analysis alone. Without the new technological possibilities of AI, a comparable measurement of the brain would take several hours or even days.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

How error-prone is AI?

Ultimately, an AI only performs those tasks for which it has been trained. Unlike a human, however, it does this at a much higher speed and with exactly the same quality. While humans achieve different results depending on their frame of mind and personal abilities, an AI-based programme always delivers the same results. Errors are almost impossible once the programming has been completed.

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

What are neural networks?

Neural networks (NNs) are modelled on the human brain and form the basis of artificial intelligence (AI). NNs are used for machine learning by mimicking the way the human brain works. A neural network consists of several layers: An input layer that takes in data, various intermediate layers that compute and send data back and forth, and an output layer that presents the result. The data takes a path through the neural network. This path is influenced by decisions and ultimately leads to a result. The latter is compared with the desired result, i.e. the training data. If these two match, the connections between those neurons over which this information has passed are subsequently strengthened – millions of times. Thus, these pathways are more likely to be used in the future. If, on the other hand, it leads to a bad result, the connections are weakened. The neural network learns – and in the end it can distinguish items, e.g. apples from pears or sick brain areas from healthy ones. NNs are the basis of the software at AIRAmed. Since each neural network is only as good as its training data, the developers have fed their network with several thousand data sets from healthy and, above all, sick brains.

From the "PULS" magazine of the University Hospital Tübingen, Germany: Frühe Diagnose von Alzheimer und Co. dank objektiver Messwerte

 

Last update on 2022-01-13 by Cristobal Marin.

Data protection

How is my data protected?

AIRAmed works exclusively with pseudonymised patient data, which is pseudonymised directly at the referring physician’s site before it is sent to the AIRAmed servers (located in Tübingen). The data is sent via an encrypted connection that is secured according to the current state of the art.

AIRAmed software is GDPR-compliant and meets the strict requirements for the security of patient data of the European Union.

Last update on 2022-01-17 by Cristobal Marin.

How secure is the electronic data exchange?

There is an individual, encrypted data connection between each connected practice/clinic and the servers of AIRAmed. In addition, no personal data is transmitted. Only the pure image data, technical information about the image, gender, age in years and a pseudonymized order ID are transmitted.

Last update on 2023-09-20 by Cristobal Marin.

Will my identity and results remain secret?

Yes. Your identity is never revealed to AIRAmed. All image data are pseudonymised before being sent from the clinic/practice. Only the pure image data as well as your age and gender are transmitted. Each evaluation is given an individual 9-digit order ID. Only when the evaluation report is returned to your doctor will the order ID and your personal data be merged again and stored directly in your patient file with the specialist.

 

Last update on 2022-01-17 by Cristobal Marin.

Is the solution compliant with data protection laws?

Yes, AIRAmed software conforms to the GDPR and meets the strict requirements for the security of patient data of the European Union.

Last update on 2022-01-17 by Nicole Dechert-Bausch.

An excerpt of our references

‘Especially in the case of rare neurological diseases, we are often faced with the problem of whether an individual brain scan is already conspicuous or not. AIRAscore provides great help in our daily work.’

Prof. Dr. Ludger Schöls
Neurologist, University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany

‘With AIRAscore structure, I can support my diagnosis and diagnose changes in brain volume that I would only have been able to detect much later with a purely visual assessment. This added value pleases my patients, but also me as a doctor.’

Dr. Sören Danz
Radiologist, Sindelfingen, Germany

‘AIRAscore structure simply works for me as a radiologist. There are no fixed contract periods and I only use the software when it makes sense. AIRAmed has managed to generate an evaluation report that satisfies me both in terms of the precision of the results and compilation of the evaluated parameters.’

Dr. Nicola Meyer
Radiologist, Hamburg, Germany

‘I am pleased that with AIRAscore structure we now have a way to benefit from the latest scientific findings in our private practice. It only takes a few minutes until I have exact measurement values directly in my PACS, which significantly improve my reporting options.’

PD Dr. Hansjörg Rempp
Radiologist, Stuttgart, Germany

‘We now use AIRAscore structure routinely with our inpatients. The findings report gives us the necessary security here in the assessment of dementia-related diseases.’

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Eschweiler
Psychiatrist, University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany

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