Fujitsu’s Macquarie Park partnerships develops new aneurysm AI diagnostic

A new artificial intelligence-enabled diagnostic technology - created by a Macquarie Park industry and research partnership - could help the estimated 210,000,000 people affected by brain aneurysms world-wide.

Macquarie Park locals Fujitsu (Talavera Road) are enabling the future of healthcare through a partnership with GE Healthcare, researchers at Macquarie University and medical imaging specialists at Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Medical Imaging.

“Project Sagasu” could help medical professionals improve the accurate diagnosis of brain aneurysms, ensuring appropriate care can be delivered sooner. The project has just completed its first phase of research.

Ramy Ibrahim, Head of Industry innovation at Fujitsu, said the project encountered unique challenges as it used new technology:

“[Aneurysm] detection is hard, because we're looking at CT scans—multiple 2D slices of your brain—and trying to detect where an aneurysm might be located… …reading a scan can take an expert radiologist anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes.”

“We entered a new field by creating an AI for this application. So, the challenge we faced was the sheer amount of data required to train our AI.”

By working in collaboration with their research partners, Fujitsu were able to create a patent-ready application of AI in radiology - a process Ibrahim believes will stand the project in good stead:

“We’re working as a joint business having a common purpose to transform healthcare —beyond a traditional supplier and provider relationship. It’s quite exciting to prove that this arrangement can work…”

“For me, it's always about the combination of the brainpower of different people and the potential that provides… One person alone might be smart, but the potential of multiple people collaborating is when you can really achieve something transformational.”

Fujistu is a leading local employer and a member of Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District: a unique partnership - between leading local employers, Macquarie University, landowners, State and Local Government - that aims to help Australia’s original innovation district thrive. Join us!