Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Intel’s AI tool screens patients for vision loss

In a nation such as India that has a low medical doctor-patient ratio, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can allow higher access to professional care from anyplace, with telehealth and robotics applied across inpatient and outpatient environments. Experts says AI will bolster the function of healthcare by assisting in screening, diagnosis, and therapy of ailments thereby enhancing excellent of life and decreasing the price burden for patients.

“India has a tremendous opportunity to lead human-centric applications and democratise AI for the world backed by high skilled talent, technology, vast data availability, and the potential for population-scale AI adoption,” says Prakash Mallya, vice-president and managing director of Sales, Marketing and Communications Group, Intel India.

Intel has been focusing its efforts towards accelerating AI innovation to provide transformative healthcare options and democratise healthcare access and delivery in India. The company’s portfolio of compute, memory, storage, and networking technologies powers some of the most thrilling healthcare and life sciences applications.

The cloud-based AI option Netra.AI is the most recent instance of the influence and innovation that can be made probable with Intel technologies. The option utilizes deep studying to determine retinal circumstances in a brief span of time with the accuracy level of human physicians. Netra.AI can accurately determine diabetic retinopathy (DR), significantly decreasing the screening burden on vitreoretinal surgeons. Typically, lack of educated retinal specialists in India—especially in remote, rural regions—limits efficient screening of asymptomatic patients. This benefits in patients presenting late with sophisticated diabetic eye illness.

To address this challenge, Sankara Eye Foundation collaborated with Singapore-based deep studying AI healthcare startup Leben Care to create and implement Netra.AI, a complete retina danger assessment application-as-a-service platform in India. The option analyses pictures from transportable, technician-operated fundus camera devices, for quick benefits of referable DR grading by means of a cloud-based net portal. It utilizes cutting-edge AI algorithms, created in collaboration with major retina authorities, with a 4-step deep convolutional neural network (DCNN). This neural network aids in detecting DR stage and annotating lesions based on pixel density in the fundus pictures. The option can be expanded to other retinal circumstances and glaucoma, assisting to decrease the screening burden on healthcare specialists and focus crucial sources on patients who will need quick care and intervention.

Mallya says, “The use of AI to improve disease detection and prevention is a critical step for the healthcare industry and a giant leap for humankind. The Intel-powered Netra.AI is a cloud-based AI solution that can scale rapidly to enable faster and accurate detection of retinal disorders in large populations with limited healthcare resources. Sankara Eye Foundation and Leben Care have leveraged the power of Intel Xeon Scalable processors and built-in Intel Deep Learning (DL) Boost to accurately detect DR and enable timely treatment to effectively combat avoidable vision impairment and blindness in diabetic patients.”

Netra.AI is optimised for Intel Xeon Scalable processors with constructed-in Intel Deep Learning Boost and Intel Advanced Vector Extension 512 acceleration. Intel architecture delivers sturdy information protection, rapidly processing of huge information volumes and service flexibility. The option offers access to Intel-optimised pictures for TensorFlow, Apache MXNet and PyTorch, in addition to Intel efficiency libraries, to boost application efficiency.

The option does not replace ophthalmologists or retinal surgeons. However, by means of the a lot easier accessibility of application and their integration with more transportable fundus camera devices, which can be operated by a technician alone, this technologies increases access for even a non-educated overall health expert to screen for DR.

“Technology and AI are democratising healthcare access, especially in screening for ailments. Our team at Sankara Eye Foundation has focused on our vision to eliminate needless blindness from India. The current solution, Netra.AI – where we had a key role in the design and development with Leben Care – uses robust AI-enabled platforms from Intel. It is an example of how likeminded collaborators can create meaningful and impactful solutions for various challenges that face humanity,” says Kaushik Murali, president of Medical Administration, Quality &amp Education, Sankara Eye Foundation India.

Netra.AI is a effective tool for screening retinal illnesses in huge populations with restricted infrastructure, sources, and an overburdened healthcare technique, claim Intel officials. The option delivers exceptional sensitivity and specificity, 99.7% and 98.5% respectively, for detection of any DR. It has been demonstrated in India and in other nations in Asia and Africa.

Originally appeared on: TheSpuzz