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March 20, 2018

CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS, KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF BORDEAUX BEGIN COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON DEEP LEARNING TECHNOLOGY IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Ootawara Japan, March 19, 2018 – From March 2018, Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Headquarters: Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan; President: Toshio Takiguchi) has initiated collaborative research on the application of Deep Learning Reconstruction (DLR), an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, together with Kumamoto University and the University of Bordeaux.

An opening ceremony was held on March 5, 2018, at the “Institute of Bioimaging”, the collaborative research facility at the University of Bordeaux.

DLR is a reconstruction technology that eliminates noise from images utilizing deep learning technology. Within this technology, the relationship between noisy and less noisy images are analyzed using a computer generated model, which makes it possible to eliminate noise from newly acquired images. DLR is not only capable of acquiring high resolution images, it also allows ultra-high-resolution images to be acquired more quickly than conventional imaging methods. For these reasons the potential applications of this ultra-high-resolution imaging technology in the clinical setting are attracting a great deal of interest.

In addition, compared with a standard smoothing filter, the noise elimination method employed in DLR causes only a slight reduction in image quality, and signal variation in organ parenchyma is minimized. This not only improves image quality, it also helps to increase accuracy in quantitative analysis, which is easily affected by noise. DLR is therefore considered to be a major technological advance that will dramatically change how MRI examinations are performed in the future”. 

With regard to this collaborative research, Professor Yasuyuki Yamashita of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Life Science, Kumamoto University, commented, “DLR has the potential to transform the conventional concept of MR imaging and is expected to allow the acquisition of super-high-resolution images in a shorter time and contribute to more accurate quantitative analysis.” Professor Vincent Dousset, Institut de Bio-Imagerie Université de Bordeaux, Chef de Service Neuro-Imagerie CHU de Bordeaux, commented, “When DLR is used in combination, the ultra-high-resolution images acquired using the latest 3-T MRI system from Canon Medical Systems (installed last November) are comparable to images acquired using a 7-T MRI system. This suggests that DLR may be able to take the place of some high-field conventional MRI studies.”

President Takiguchi of Canon Medical Systems Corporation commented, “We are very proud to have started this cutting-edge collaborative research which will lead to the development of next-generation MRI technology at leading medical institutions both in and outside Japan. We anticipate that this research will prove to be of great value by providing higher-resolution images for clinical diagnosis.”

The combination of the latest AI technology with next-generation MRI scanners is expected to be useful not only for eliminating noise and improving image quality, but also in a wide variety of MR related fields. DLR technology demonstrates Canon Medical Systems commitment to continue to contribute to healthcare by cooperating with medical facilities around the world through providing the latest technology.

About Canon Medical Systems Corporation
Canon Medical Systems offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound and MR, across the globe. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide. Our goal is to deliver optimum health opportunities for patients through uncompromised performance, comfort and safety features.

At Canon Medical Systems, we work hand in hand with our partners – our medical, academic and research community. We build relationships based on transparency, trust and respect. Together as one, we strive to create industry-leading solutions that deliver an enriched quality of life. For more information, visit the Canon Medical Systems Corporation website: https://global.medical.canon