British NHS hospitals use AI to cut MRI scan times by 15 minutes

NHS hospitals in Hull are using AI technology to dramatically reduce MRI scan times, allowing them to see significantly more patients each day. The Air Recon Deep Learning (ARDL) software uses algorithms to reduce background noise and achieve sharper images in shorter timeframes, cutting scan times by 10-15 minutes while maintaining the same imaging quality.

What you should know: The AI software has been installed on existing MRI machines at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, with plans to expand to Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

Key improvements: The technology has delivered substantial time savings across different types of scans.

• A routine MRI head scan that previously took 30 minutes now takes just 20 minutes.
• Prostate scans have been reduced from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
• The trust can now scan 31 lumbar spine patients over a 12-hour period, compared to 21 before.

Patient benefits: The shorter scan times are particularly helping vulnerable patient groups who previously struggled with longer procedures.

• Patients with claustrophobia or learning disabilities who couldn’t tolerate longer scans are now able to complete them.
• Fewer children require general anesthesia to get through scans.

How it works: The ARDL software operates by using deep learning algorithms to reduce background noise in MRI images, enabling the machines to produce high-quality scans in less time without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

What they’re saying: “This means we can reduce the scanning time on certain sequences, but still get the same imaging quality,” said Karen Bunker, head of imaging at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

• “People who struggle with claustrophobia or those with learning disabilities, who previously couldn’t tolerate a scan, are finding they are able to endure the shorter scan times.”