Shanghai government approves new research tool developed by GE Uses computer aided detection technology to screen for pneumoconiosis Increases access to critical exam for millions of workers
Shanghai, China, August 4, 2009 --- GE, in partnership with the Shanghai government, announced today that it has developed a research tool to detect China's most deadly occupational health disease, pneumoconiosis. The new computer aided detection (CAD) technology was approved by the Shanghai government and will allow it to be further tested at a local hospital in China.
Cases of pneumoconiosis in China have grown exponentially over the last several years. By the end of 2008, the number of reported cases reached 638,000 - half of the total number of reported cases in the world. One of the biggest obstacles to controlling and stemming this disease is limited access to screening.
Today, pneumoconiosis screening is very costly and time consuming. To make a diagnosis, doctors must review x-ray image results one image at a time. The new CAD tool developed by GE and Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital is designed to automate this analysis. After the tool is fully validated for use in routine screening it will substantially streamline the time it takes for doctors to make an accurate diagnosis and provide access to screening for millions of more workers.
An expert group of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM), also a major sponsor of the project, has reviewed and validated the new CAD software tool. The CAD technology will be released to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital for further studies to validate the clinical value the CAD tool for pneumoconiosis detection.
"The new CAD tool jointly developed by GE and Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital will pave the way to much faster and more accurate diagnosis services for pneumoconiosis patients in China," said Kelvin Wang, General Manager of GE Global Research Shanghai. "We will continue to work with Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital and the STCSM to free those who are suffering form lung disease and prevent the loss of lives because of delayed diagnosis and treatment."
The development of the new CAD tool is part of GE's Healthymagination initiative, which is focused on developing new technologies, products and services that improve the quality, affordability and access to healthcare around the globe.
The CAD system is a combination of computer technology, image processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, etc. The detection tool will analyze the chest x-ray images, and automatically select and classify them according to the difference between patients and healthy people. It can also be applied to dynamic diagnosis and evaluation of disease development, by comparing x-rays of identical patient in different stages. Early detection of thoracic diseases including tuberculosis, lung cancer, heart disease, and pleural disease could also be made easier.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research organizations, providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, and is now focused on developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as molecular medicine, energy conversion, nanotechnology, advanced propulsion and security technologies. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.
Todd Alhart
GE
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