GE HealthCare, UW Medicine launch imaging research collaboration

GE HealthCare and the University of Washington Department of Radiology have launched a strategic research collaboration focused on CT and molecular imaging technologies. The work will take place at UW Medicine Radiology facilities in Seattle.

The project will focus on cardiology, oncology, and theranostics workflows. GE HealthCare said the collaboration is intended to support clinical translation of imaging techniques, workflow automation, and more personalized diagnostic imaging.

The agreement expands a 30-year relationship between UW Medicine Radiology and GE HealthCare. The organizations have completed more than 80 collaborative research projects and more than 100 academic publications, according to GE HealthCare.

Prior joint work included clinical input on GE HealthCare’s Discovery PET/CT platform and continued work related to the Omni PET/CT platform. UW Medicine Radiology also evaluated methods for removing the need for electrocardiogram traces in cardiac CT procedures, work tied to GE HealthCare’s ECG-less cardiac CT capability.

Research will be organized around 2 programs. The CT program will pursue clinical evidence for spectral imaging technologies and workflow automation.

A molecular imaging and theranostics program will focus on clinical evidence for emerging imaging techniques. It will also apply deep learning to treatment planning and clinical trial matching, and advance image processing for oncology applications.

“As demand for imaging grows and patient cases become increasingly complex, it’s critical that we continue to advance innovation in radiology to ensure timely, high-quality diagnostic care,” said Dushyant Sahani, MD, professor and chairman of UW Medicine Radiology.

Paul Kinahan, PhD, vice chair for research and professor of radiology at the UW School of Medicine, is also leading the collaboration on the UW side. He said the collaboration allows the group to take a more data-driven approach to imaging.