A medical research team in China has created a patented model that employs artificial intelligence (AI) technology to expedite and automate blood analysis. Hospital laboratories frequently examine millions of blood cells for disease diagnosis, which is a repetitive task often performed manually by skilled doctors who visually examine blood samples through microscopes, one by one. The new AI model has the potential to revolutionize the way laboratories analyze blood samples, as it streamlines the evaluation process, resulting in faster and more accurate feedback to physicians.
The innovative AI model has received rave reviews, as it automates a previously labor-intensive and time-consuming process, allowing medical staff to focus their attention on more complex diagnoses. The model has the potential to detect potential abnormalities with exceptional accuracy, leading to faster and more precise diagnosis of diseases. This is a significant breakthrough that has the potential to save countless lives.
A blood smear is a standard diagnostic tool used to detect abnormalities in blood cells. It is a crucial test for diagnosing disorders of the blood and lymphatic system. However, the current examination of blood smear images under a microscope is time-consuming and relies primarily on the expertise and experience of physicians. This has led to a low rate of diagnosis in many Chinese clinics at the grassroots level, as they often lack well-trained professionals.
To address this issue, a team of researchers from the Army Medical University’s Xinqiao Hospital in Chongqing, China, developed an AI-assisted model based on 2,500 microscopic blood smear images from 2018 to 2022. The model uses detection experiences accumulated by experts to create algorithms. With an accuracy rate of over 90%, the AI can identify normal and abnormal cells in a shorter time than a human eye can, according to Peng Xiangui, the leader of the research team and the chief examiner at the hospital’s hematology center.
Peng stated that physicians typically spend more than half an hour examining a blood sample and generating a report, whereas the AI model can complete a case in just a few minutes. The new model has enormous potential to assist laboratories in providing faster and more accurate feedback to doctors, enabling doctors to provide timely treatment to their patients.
This groundbreaking development has the potential to revolutionize how laboratories analyze blood samples, streamlining the evaluation process and flagging potential abnormalities with exceptional efficiency. The AI-assisted model may help address the shortage of skilled professionals in low-resource settings, such as rural clinics, and improve the speed and accuracy of blood cell testing.
Peng Xiangui and his research team utilized an extensive dataset of 300,000 red blood cells collected over five years to train and test their AI model. By feeding it such an immense volume of data, the team was able to tackle a challenging identification problem and develop a solution that accurately identifies 49 types of abnormal blood cells that commonly appear in clinics. This impressive feat reduces manual labor and saves physicians valuable time in the diagnostic process.
Peng sees the benefits of the medical AI model extending beyond time-saving measures. He believes that such technology will serve as a valuable resource for inexperienced physicians who can rely on it to help reach the level of an expert and boost their work efficiency. With access to the vast information accumulated within the AI database, medical professionals can enhance their diagnostic accuracy and make more informed decisions when it comes to patient care.
Peng also pointed out that while a doctor can only examine a limited number of cases in their lifetime, an AI model can accumulate an unlimited amount of information. This database of knowledge allows for more scientific and accurate diagnoses that improve patient outcomes. By combining the knowledge of expert physicians with the power of AI, medical professionals can provide faster, more precise, and more comprehensive care.
The use of AI technology to aid physicians in clinical diagnosis is becoming more widespread in Chinese hospitals. From diagnostic screening to surgical robots, there has been an increase in the number of AI-assisted medical products used in healthcare facilities throughout the country. The development of the AI-assisted model to speed up and automate blood analysis is just the latest example of this trend.
Zhang Xi, head of the hospital’s hematology center, revealed that the AI device was granted a Class II medical device license in September last year and has secured 32 patents. The research team has received interest from several domestic medical institutions, indicating the potential for further collaboration.
With the successful implementation of the AI model at Xinqiao Hospital, the research team plans to explore the system’s potential to assist more primary care hospitals and serve a larger number of patients. This indicates the potential for AI-assisted medical products to revolutionize the healthcare system in China and beyond.
In conclusion, the development of this cutting-edge AI model marks a new era in medical technology, where automation can improve the accuracy, efficiency, and speed of medical diagnoses. This model’s potential to revolutionize the process of analyzing blood samples holds great promise for the medical community, as it may help to save countless lives by ensuring faster and more accurate diagnoses.