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posted by Fnord666 on Monday August 24 2020, @05:39PM   Printer-friendly
from the all-the-better-to-see-you-with dept.

Facebook AI produces accurate MRI images 4 times faster than current tech:

Two years ago a team of radiologists from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine joined forces with Facebook's Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) group to try and develop a neural network that can produce effective MRI scans from as little data as possible.

[...] The collaborative project, called fastMRI, produced an AI model that can generate detailed MRI images from a quarter of the data traditionally needed. However, as outlined in a blog post penned by the Facebook AI team, creating accurate MRI images was only the first step for the researchers.

"Generating an accurate image isn't the only challenge," the Facebook team writes. "The AI model must also create images that are visually indistinguishable from traditional MRI images. Radiologists spend many hours carefully analyzing these images and an unfamiliar look and feel could make radiologists less likely to adopt fastMRI in their practices."

[...] "This study is an important step toward clinical acceptance and utilization of AI-accelerated MRI scans because it demonstrates for the first time that AI-generated images are essentially indistinguishable in appearance from standard clinical MRI exams and are interchangeable in regards to diagnostic accuracy," says lead author on the new study, Michael Recht. "This marks an exciting paradigm shift in how we are able to improve the patient experience and create images."

The results produced by the fastMRI project are open source, so the research team is hoping MRI hardware vendors can begin rapidly incorporating the new algorithms into their products. The innovation should also be easily incorporated over the next few years into pre-existing MRI hardware currently in hospitals, making patient experiences more comfortable while expanding MRI access to a greater number of people.

Journal Reference:
Michael P. Recht, MD, et. al., Using Deep Learning to Accelerate Knee MRI at 3T: Results of an Interchangeability Study, American Journal of Roentgenology (DOI: 10.2214/AJR.20.23313)


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @05:56PM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @05:56PM (#1041231)

    How does it go again? Any country with 'democratic' in it's name is everything but democratic, isn't that the thing?
    One has to wonder if the same is true for:

    joined forces with Facebook's Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) group

    The probability of there being anything 'fair' about whatever they are producing, is pretty slim.

    • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday August 24 2020, @06:35PM (3 children)

      by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:35PM (#1041260) Journal

      In sixth grade, early 1970s, I learned those countries chose from three words:

      "Democratic", "Peaceful", "Republic"

      --
      What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
      • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:39PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:39PM (#1041263)

        Similar logic applies to “united”

      • (Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:45PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:45PM (#1041267)
        The difference between a Republic and a People's Republic is the difference between a jacket and a straitjacket.
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @09:29PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @09:29PM (#1041341)

        People's Democratic Free Internet Republic of Zuckerberg - yeah, trust them now with images of your insides.

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @05:58PM (22 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @05:58PM (#1041234)

    This is a potential disaster for MRI manufacturers, cutting their market by up to a factor of four in the long term and potentially freezing sales in the short term. Hospitals may be unable to recoup their investment in the expensive hardware they already have as prices drop. You can expect the medical industry to fight adoption of this technology for as long as possible.

    • (Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Monday August 24 2020, @06:06PM (1 child)

      by fustakrakich (6150) on Monday August 24 2020, @06:06PM (#1041238) Journal

      They just have to remodel their machines. Cheap prices will increase demand. Maybe we can use them at the supermarket to check the avocados, lords knows, we need something!

      --
      La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
      • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday August 24 2020, @06:27PM

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:27PM (#1041251) Journal

        MRI machines could have coin slots into which patients pay with plastic coins as they enter the machine. In order to fund the cost of the expensive machine.

        Nevermind doctors, nurses and other professionals.

        --
        What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
    • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday August 24 2020, @06:10PM (9 children)

      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:10PM (#1041239) Journal

      Probably not. I don't see Facebook manufacturing the machines. What I see is Facebook licensing this stuff, so they can collect rent on a field that isn't remotely related to social networking.

      • (Score: 2) by Freeman on Monday August 24 2020, @06:24PM (2 children)

        by Freeman (732) on Monday August 24 2020, @06:24PM (#1041250) Journal

        Still, they've Oculus which is hardware. Facebook needs to be into things other than Facebook, otherwise, they'll eventually be the MySpace of yesterday.

        --
        Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
        • (Score: 2) by acid andy on Monday August 24 2020, @07:19PM (1 child)

          by acid andy (1683) on Monday August 24 2020, @07:19PM (#1041286) Homepage Journal

          otherwise, they'll eventually be the MySpace of yesterday.

          We can dream.

          --
          If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?
          • (Score: 2) by Freeman on Monday August 24 2020, @07:31PM

            by Freeman (732) on Monday August 24 2020, @07:31PM (#1041293) Journal

            I suspect, we're stuck with Facebook for a Very Long time to come.

            --
            Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
      • (Score: 4, Interesting) by DannyB on Monday August 24 2020, @06:29PM (3 children)

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:29PM (#1041254) Journal

        What I see is Facebook licensing this stuff, so they can collect rent on a field that isn't remotely related to social networking.

        Do you seriously think Facebook would not connect every single bit of information from MRI machines and other medical equipment to your social media profile?

        --
        What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
        • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday August 24 2020, @06:32PM (2 children)

          by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:32PM (#1041256) Journal

          That will be part of the licensing agreement, of course.

          Speaking of which - Facebook seems to suddenly have "connected" with me. In the past, I've not seen advertisements, at all. Recently, some ads have gotten through. In the past several days, those ads have become "relevant". Guess I need to go in, and double check all the permissions that "users" are permitted to change. Something is new and different . . .

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:44PM (1 child)

            by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:44PM (#1041266)

            They found you runnaway, bugout now, it may already be too late given the relevant ads, means the want you to know they know.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @07:09PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @07:09PM (#1041280)

              Whoever *they* are, they also found my gmail address. What used to be a few random things caught in the spam folder every day, has turned into 50/day...mostly xxxx, subject line filled with blinking emojis.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:31PM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:31PM (#1041255)

        You don't want everyone to see your MRIs on facebook?

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:33PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @06:33PM (#1041258)

          Of course not. If you want to see my huge donkey dick, you can pay me to see it.

    • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday August 24 2020, @06:33PM (2 children)

      by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @06:33PM (#1041257) Journal

      This is a potential disaster for MRI manufacturers, cutting their market by up to a factor of four

      Something does not make sense here?

      Yes, I get it that you could get four times as many MRIs done on the same equipment.

      But why would prices drop? If anything, I can see this new technology as a way to raise prices.

      Demand for MRIs can rise, because now there are four times as much capacity available. MRIs can be ordered for lesser and lesser reasons. Patients don't need to know whether the MRI was actually necessary.

      --
      What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
      • (Score: 2) by ChrisMaple on Tuesday August 25 2020, @12:55AM (1 child)

        by ChrisMaple (6964) on Tuesday August 25 2020, @12:55AM (#1041410)

        Same results with less data means the MRI machines can be made with less accuracy and/or fewer sensors while still producing acceptable results. Machines become cheaper.

        Alternately, the improved analytical capability of the software should be able to provide more detail with the same raw data, improving the diagnostic capabilities of existing machines.

        • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday August 25 2020, @01:41PM

          by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday August 25 2020, @01:41PM (#1041580) Journal

          Imagine if the doctor could just answer a few questions about the patient, and an AI could generate "MRI scan" images for the doctor.

          Just as an AI can generate completely fake human faces. [thispersondoesnotexist.com]

          --
          What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
    • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @07:14PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @07:14PM (#1041282)

      I wonder if this new image magic (or similar) will also work with CAT (X-ray) scans? Reducing the amount of X-ray images required to build up a 3D image seems like it would have health benefits (lower radiation exposure) in addition to the cost benefits.

      • (Score: 2) by requerdanos on Monday August 24 2020, @09:12PM

        by requerdanos (5997) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @09:12PM (#1041331) Journal

        Though the article doesn't address this, interestingly, the photo accompanying the article (with the caption about MRIs) appears to be a CT scanner, not an MRI machine. Quoting a comment under the article:

        Just to be clear: The image above is NOT an MRI machine but just your garden variety Computed Tomograpy (CT) scanner.
        Notice the contrast media injector, an lcd monitor and a full metallic sterile table inside the examination room.

    • (Score: 2) by seeprime on Monday August 24 2020, @07:15PM

      by seeprime (5580) on Monday August 24 2020, @07:15PM (#1041283)

      The MRI still has to studied. This probably will take about the same amount of time as it currently does. This opens up the need for more doctors, or possibly outsourcing the work to other countries, which has the effect for further increasing income to the hospital. They will make more money with this, if it actually works properly.

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by requerdanos on Monday August 24 2020, @08:25PM (3 children)

      by requerdanos (5997) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 24 2020, @08:25PM (#1041318) Journal

      How about for patients?

      an AI model that can generate detailed MRI images from a quarter of the data traditionally needed

      Sounds like it is including less source detail and more artifacts from AI.

      I'm no radiologist, but that sounds kind of undesirable to me.

      I know they are saying this is a good thing, but they're probably saying "will totally not require a Facebook account to use" also.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @10:56PM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @10:56PM (#1041377)

        How would the AI distinguish between an anomaly in the imaging versus an anomaly in the actual patient?

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @11:14PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @11:14PM (#1041837)

          That's the doctor's job. Don't you dare blame the AI for anything.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @02:20AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @02:20AM (#1041434)

        > Sounds like it is including less source detail and more artifacts from AI.

        Exactly. This "AI" image enhancing product that inserted some celebrities face into the picture where only a window existed in the original was what sprang to mind for me.

        https://petapixel.com/2020/08/17/gigapixel-ai-accidentally-added-ryan-goslings-face-to-this-photo/ [petapixel.com]

        No thanks.

  • (Score: 0, Offtopic) by SomeGuy on Monday August 24 2020, @07:46PM (2 children)

    by SomeGuy (5632) on Monday August 24 2020, @07:46PM (#1041303)

    Facebook AI Produces Accurate MRI Images 4 Times Faster

    Of penises.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @10:44PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2020, @10:44PM (#1041374)

      Well MRIs do work on soft tissue ...

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @11:15PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @11:15PM (#1041838)

        Gotta be at least 5mm thick to see it tho :(

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @04:57AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2020, @04:57AM (#1041488)

    Not long ago, an article on this very site: "AI Techniques in Medical Imaging May Lead to Incorrect Diagnoses"
    https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=20/05/13/0315242 [soylentnews.org]
    Now Facebook, in its transcendent wisdom, decided that those incorrect diagnoses just plain Do Not Matter (for the bottom line):

    "In particular, results showed that interchanging the sequences would result in discordant clinical opinions no more than 4% of the time for any feature evaluated."

    Pray to FAIR god that It not throw you into the 4% of Damnation.

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