EVENT & NEWS | Cydar Medical and Its 20-Year Ambition in Artificial Intelligence

Tom Carrell from Cydar Medical UK delivered the inaugural presentation at the 2022 Charing Cross International Symposium (CX) in London, UK, titled “Making Endovascular Aortic Repair Results More Predictable: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Takes on the Challenge of a 20-Year-Old.” In his talk, Carrell posed a pivotal question that lies at the heart of this long-standing challenge: “Given each individual patient with some anatomical complexity, do we really know—especially with evolving treatment options—what the outcome will be for them?”

The Charing Cross International Symposium (CX) is renowned for delivering world-class vascular education, emphasizing evidence-based practices and showcasing innovation. The CX Innovation Exhibition specifically highlights advancements in the field and explores what it takes for physician-inventors to succeed, as well as how innovative ideas in the vascular and endovascular arenas can thrive.

Twenty years ago, Carrell highlighted that anatomical severity is a major determinant of patient outcomes, suggesting that standardized reporting may be necessary. Since then, numerous papers have been published on anatomical severity scoring systems, leading Carrell to conclude that these systems can predict outcomes and complications. However, he noted that progress in utilizing this data has been limited, partly due to the complexity of certain grading schemes. Emphasizing this key question, Carrell asked, “Can AI offer that detail and simplicity?”

Carrell explained that Cydar Medical is developing enhanced capabilities to interoperate with what the company refers to as "intelligent maps." Currently, the company utilizes “virtual guidewires” that assist in planning, guiding, and reviewing endovascular surgery. A virtual guidewire's primary function is to identify the operating site, rendering the plan on a map that overlays live fluoroscopy.

By integrating intelligent maps with virtual guidewires and AI, Cydar Medical has leveraged data from thousands of patients treated with Cydar EV Maps to create analytical tools for assessing anatomy. This tool employs a combination of deterministic algorithms using virtual wires, along with neural network simulations or deep learning techniques, to segment blood vessels, including the aorta and iliac arteries, according to various levels of bifurcation.

One of Carrell's key takeaways is the relevance of this software in informing decision-making. By analyzing one patient and matching their data with another patient who has a similar anatomical profile in the database, clinicians can better determine the most appropriate treatment options.

In conclusion, Tom Carrell affirmed that Cydar Medical aims to fulfill its 20-year ambition by incorporating feedback to refine the scoring system.