Selected for AMED Digital Healthcare Development and Implementation Acceleration Project
Airato is pleased to announce that its proposal, “Research on building cost-effectiveness evidence regarding AI software for cancer radiation therapy planning,” has been selected for the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)’s FY2024 “Digital Healthcare Development and Introduction Acceleration Project.”
Going forward, to clarify the cost-effectiveness of the radiation therapy AI software, we will conduct a multi-center joint trial at nine medical institutions of different sizes and characteristics. We will quantitatively evaluate the effects of introducing the software, such as improved work efficiency, reduced burden, and increased medical fees, and provide evidence of the benefits to medical institutions.
About this research and development
Research Background and Issues
While the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is progressing as a highly precise radiation therapy method for cancer treatment, radiation treatment planning requires extremely high precision and an enormous amount of time.
Although IMRT irradiation time is about 15 minutes, irradiation planning takes approximately six hours, and as a result, many medical institutions are unable to implement IMRT adequately.
Reducing Workload with AI: Development of AI Software for Radiation Therapy and its Effects
To solve these issues, we have developed AI-based radiation therapy planning software.
Our software has the following three main functions to improve the efficiency of IMRT operations:
・Automatic contour extraction function for normal tissue
・Semi-automatic irradiation area determination function
・Virtual safety verification function
At two high volume centers where the system was piloted, the time required for IMRT treatment planning was reduced to approximately 45 minutes, equivalent to approximately 1/8 of the previous time, demonstrating dramatic labor savings.
In addition, IMRT planning requires manual input down to the millimeter, which causes great psychological stress for doctors, but the introduction of AI radiation therapy planning software is expected to significantly reduce this mental burden.
Benefits
This study quantitatively evaluates the following three effects of AI treatment planning software:
- Reduction in labor costs by reducing work hours
- Reduction in psychological burden
- Increase in medical fee revenue by increasing the number of IMRT cases
If the effects of introducing AI treatment planning software become clear, medical institutions will be more motivated to introduce it, and sales strategies can be optimized. Evaluating the effects according to the size of the treatment facility is key to building a sustainable business model.
https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/12/01/1201C_00124.html