Philips has launched a new image management platform that includes a web-based imaging viewer that aims to advance how radiologists access and interpret medical images.
The Dutch imaging giant said that Image Management 15, an updated version of the Philips Vue PACS platform, is designed to facilitate the radiology capabilities through a desktop workstation via a standard web browser.
According to Philips, the new viewer will help radiologists to streamline their workflows, improve collaboration between teams, and reduce IT complexity across their enterprise.
By natively connecting with the interactive reporting module, the web browser manages reporting in users’ picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workflows. Philips said the capability eliminates the need for separate dictation or reporting systems, providing radiologists with a means of reviewing images and generating reports without leaving their reading application.
Image Management 15 can also interface with any imaging centres connected AI-based imaging tools, thereby consolidating all relevant imaging insights into one place, Philips added.
Philips’ imaging informatics business leader Madhuri Sebastian said: “The web diagnostic viewer is a milestone in our journey toward cloud-enabled, AI-integrated diagnostic imaging.
“It brings the power of advanced visualisation, collaboration, and intelligence to any browser, helping radiologists stay connected and productive wherever care happens while streamlining IT operations.”
Diagnostic imaging is one of the most rapidly advancing areas in the healthcare space. According to GlobalData analysis, the global diagnostic imaging market is growing at a CAGR of 4.4% and is forecast to reach a valuation of $81.4bn by 2034, up from $52.8bn in 2024.
Philips’ imaging rival GE HealthCare also has remote image viewing provisions on its mind. The company recently signed a $2.3bn deal to acquire Canadian imaging software provider Intelerad. The move aligns with GE HealthCare’s stated aim to “significantly increase” its range of cloud-enabled products by 2028.
Alongside advances in imaging software and management platforms, AI is continuing to have an appreciable impact on medical imaging, particularly in advancing radiology workflows. In 2024, big tech players such as NVIDIA and Microsoft entered partnerships with academic institutions to test and develop generative AI (genAI) foundation models for radiology.
GenAI, a technology to efficiently analyse a large amount of unstructured datasets, holds vast potential in the radiology space. Protocols include the ability to enhance radiological image quality, conduct diagnosis on par with radiologists, and assist with imaging report summaries.
For radiology, such assistance is of critical importance, given that research indicates there is a growing radiologist shortfall. A 2024 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) forecasts that the radiologist shortfall in the US could reach almost 42,000 by 2036.
