Taiwan's Artificial Intelligence Expert in Computer-Aided Medical Imaging Diagnostic Devices

AmCad BioMed Corporation (AmCad), the subsidiary of Maywufa Biopharma Group, who specializes in developing innovative Computer-Assisted Detection and Diagnosis (CAD) devices, has successfully developed and commercialized a series of the pioneering medical devices. As traditional medical ultrasound imaging were only available in black and white that relies solely on the experience of the doctor for analysis, its interpretation is subjective and prone to discrepancies. AmCad has developed an exclusive patented technologies and analysis algorithm to quantify and visualize sonographic features. It successfully converts the clinicians’ wealth of experience into a technology that can analyze clinical ultrasound images quantitatively. The doctor needs to merely circle the region of interest and the computer algorithm will automatically detect tumor image characteristics, including hyperechoic foci, echogenicity, texture, margin, tumor shape, and tumor size. It can therefore quickly assist medical professionals in interpreting medical ultrasound images.

 
Targeting the Early Diagnosis of Thyroid Neoplasm

AmCAD-Ut is the first computer-aided thyroid ultrasound diagnostic device approved by FDA. It will reduce 50% unnecessary FNA and 30% excessive surgery and lifetime medication for patients with thyroid nodules. Through integration with the hospital information system (HIS), the software can be applied to the analysis of different medical ultrasound images. Multiple medical centers in Taiwan have already adopted this technology. In addition, the AmCAD-UT have been introduced in as many as 20 hospitals and health evaluation centers in Taiwan and apply for coverage in the Health Insurance, while discussions are ongoing with more potential customers abroad, has authorized Beijing Medical Equipment as its agent in China. This year, the company has successively signed distribution contracts for Singapore, India, Indonesia and Nepal. Currently, AmCAD-UT has been approved by US, EU, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, and has acquired the 510(k) and CE mark. Concerning the requirement for fine needle aspiration of thyroid neoplasm, AmCad has developed AmCAD-DC, which automatically detects and selects cell nucleus and cytoplasm to help doctors scientifically determine whether characteristics of thyroid cancer cells are present. Currently, nearly 50% of the patients have their benign tumors unnecessarily removed due to human error in diagnosis, causing the patients to require medication for the rest of their lives. The use of AmCAD-DC can drastically reduce the number of such cases. By collaborating closely with a team of clinicians to provide a more comprehensive computer-aided thyroid neoplasm diagnostic device, AmCad is gradually becoming well-positioned in non-invasive early diagnosis of thyroid neoplasm.

Developing Flagship Product for Early Diagnosis of Hepatic Fibrosis and Tumor

In addition to the patented algorithm for the characterization of traditional ultrasound images, AmCad further developed an ultrasonic diagnostic platform for pathological organ tissue (AmCAD-US) and an ultrasonic diagnostic platform for hemodynamic properties (AmCAD-UV). These platforms present information on the distribution of heterogeneous structures and hemodynamics images that traditional ultrasound imaging cannot provide. These technologies opened new ultrasound imaging applications in non-invasive medical diagnosis. AmCAD-US is the first device to utilize the ultrasound image data of backscattered signals to visualize heterogeneous structures in tissues. As there is an unmet need for early diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis that currently relies on invasive biopsies, the first wave of applications will aim at the prognosis, screening, and treatment for hepatic fibrosis and hepatoma. The diagnostic platform for hemodynamics ultrasound analysis (AmCAD-UV) employs a proprietary technology to eliminate noise caused by breathing and motion artifacts to achieve analysis of the dynamic ultrasound images that include the flow and distribution of the arteries and veins. Such technology can assist in the early diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers and diseases of the organs. The first application targeted is breast cancer. Moving toward developing integrated systems of ultrasound software and hardware, AmCad has developed a computer-aided sleep apnea detection system (AmCAD-UO) which images the patient’s respiratory tract and determines the chance and severity of respiratory tract obstruction occurring during sleep. The examination only takes 10 minutes and does not require the patient to sleep. Taking the preemptive opportunities in developing innovative computer-aided ultrasound diagnostic systems, integrating smart platforms, and even developing a handheld intelligent ultrasound (iSONO), AmCAD is determined to greatly broaden the clinical applications of ultrasound systems.

At this year's Taiwan Healthcare+ Expo, the company will seek distributors or agents in the ASEAN, South America, and regional markets in the Middle East countries.

(Editing by Jim Shih, Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy)

• For more information see the Taiwan Healthcare+ and 2018 Taiwan Healthcare+ Expo