Canon Medical USA is among the several companies who are debuting new AI-powered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems at the upcoming Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 conference in Chicago, held from 1 to 6 December 2024.
The US medical subsidiary of the Japanese electronics giant has commercially released the Vantage Galan 3T/Supreme Edition, the company’s latest MRI system. Canon Medical released the system in other territories earlier this year.
The device features no third-party manufactured components, including a Japan-made magnet, which Canon says provides an expanded field of view.
What differentiates the Canon system and traditional MRIs is the inclusion of AI solutions. The company has installed its Altivity suite of AI tools that help optimise image quality and reduce scan times.
Canon Medical’s magnetic resonance business unit director Mark Totina said: "Our new real-time platform and AI-driven enhancements deliver high-quality imaging and operational efficiency, helping clinicians meet the diverse needs of patients and healthcare facilities today."
Medical imaging has become a major driver of AI’s growth in healthcare. A 2023 report by GlobalData predicts that global revenue for AI platforms across healthcare will reach $18.8bn by 2027. AI-assisted MRI is a key innovation area within the sector, according to analysis by GlobalData.
In the analysis, Canon is listed with Fujifilm and Philips, among others, as leading patent filers in the field of AI-assisted MRI. The companies are also listed by GlobalData as having the largest market shares in the MRI global market, along with GE HealthCare. The value of the global MRI market is forecast to exceed $9bn by 2033, with the sophistication of embedded AI tools likely to be a key driver of its trajectory. In addition, 3T systems such as Canon Medical’s Vantage Galan will contribute $2.5bn to the market.
Also unveiling its next-generation AI-assisted MRI system at the RSNA conference is Philips, who will unveil its BlueSeal 1.5T system. The company has integrated its MR Smart Workflow solutions to help automate parts of the MRI examination and enhance images.
