iCAD’s digital breast tomosynthesis cancer detection software could make a big splash at the upcoming Radiological Society of North America meeting if recent study results are any indication. The solution will also be displayed at The European Society of Breast Imaging annual meeting, occurring this weekend.

The Nashua, NH-based company said its software, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, had exceptional study results that demonstrated significant advantages for digital breast tomosynthesis.

In the study, 24 radiologists reviewed about 260 3D exams. Of that number, 65 were cancers, the company said. The findings confirmed iCAD’s solution to support the fact that digital breast tomosynthesis increased improvements in both reader sensitivity (8% on average) and specificity (6.9% on average). In addition, when reading tomosynthesis cases with the solution, radiologists’ reading times were reduced by more than half (52.7% on average).

“What we achieved in sensitivity, which is your cancer’s detection accuracy, is an 8% increase when the radiologists were reading using our tool vs. when they read the exams without it – and that’s big,” Ken Ferry, iCAD CEO, told MD+DI.

Currently, the solution is approved outside of the US. However, Ferry said he is hoping that iCAD will be getting much closer to an FDA nod within the next month or two.

“We’ve got experience using machine and deep learning as a platform to build out these software-based algorithms,” Ferry said. “In addition to the confidence around the algorithm development, which is done by a group of PhDs inhouse, we’ve developed extraordinary data collection capabilities. If you combine the technology platform for development, the expertise of the PhDs and thousands and thousands of images, you are well positioned to build a solution that in this case helps the radiologist to dramatically improve their workflow as they interpret these 3D mammograms.”

iCAD was formed in 1984 and in 2017 was a finalist for Medtech company of the year. The firm has long had a presence - prior to the recent AI boom in healthcare. Commenting on the importance of AI, Ferry said that now more people are aware of the impact these solutions can have on healthcare.

“I think the market is now getting very visible and aware of these solutions and what they potential benefits are,” he said.