iCAD traces its origins to
1984 — a year of tremendous technological advancements: Dell Computers was
founded, Apple introduced the Macintosh, and Sony released the Discman as the
first portable CD player.[i],[ii],[iii] This year of
inspiring innovation was the same year that Howard Howtek launched Howtek Inc.,
a technology company that initially specialized in developing, manufacturing,
and marketing digitized systems and scanners. In 2001, the company began to specialize
in computer-aided detection for healthcare and changed its name to iCAD, Inc.[iv]
The inception of computer-aided
detection at iCAD began in 2002 with the MammoReader, which offered productivity
and workflow benefits to radiologists reading traditional mammography.[v] Only one year later, iCAD
introduced SecondLook, which automatically identifies and marks suspicious
regions in 2D mammography images, utilizing image processing, pattern
recognition, and artificial intelligence techniques.[vi] Information from thousands of
mammography images were incorporated into its algorithm, enabling the product
to more accurately distinguish between characteristics of cancerous and normal
tissue.[vii]
In 2015, the company introduced
the iReveal® Breast Density Analysis Solution as an addition to the PowerLook
Advanced Mammography Platform.[vii] This cutting-edge
technology assists radiologists in evaluating and scoring breast density to
identify patients who may need supplemental screening or could be at higher
risk of developing breast cancer.[viii] This solution uses an
appearance-based approach to assess dense tissue and deliver automated, rapid,
and reproducible assessments of breast structure, texture, and fibroglandular
dispersion.[ix] With a growing number of
U.S. states adopting dense breast legislation in recent years,[x] this technology continues
to be a relevant solution that enhances patient care.
As digital breast
tomosynthesis (DBT), or 3D mammography, became more widely available,
radiologists were confronted with a new challenge: whereas traditional 2D
mammography typically produces four images, 3D mammography yields multiple
images, resulting in increased workflow issues and reader fatigue.[xi] To meet radiologists’
rapidly evolving needs, in 2016, iCAD introduced PowerLook Tomo Detection, an
advanced method of cancer detection built on artificial intelligence (AI).[xii] The innovative solution
allows users to easily navigate through the large tomosynthesis volume from a
single enhanced image, thereby enabling the radiologist to detect over 90
percent of malignant soft tissues.xii Additionally, the software
efficiently improves workflow and reader experience, reducing average reading
time by 29.2 percent.[xii]
Most recently iCAD
introduced the ProFound AI platform, which is available for 2D mammography and
DBT modalities.[xiii] This high-performing,
concurrent-reading workflow solution rapidly analyzes each tomosynthesis image
with unparalleled accuracy. ProFound AI for DBT is the first FDA-cleared 3D
tomosynthesis software using AI to aid in breast cancer detection; it is clinically
proven to improve cancer detection rates by 8 percent, reduce unnecessary
patient recall rates by 7.2 percent, and slash reading time for radiologists by
52.7 percent and up to 57.4 percent for dense breast 3D image analysis.[xiv] Results from this study
were published in the journal Radiology:
Artificial Intelligence.[xv]
At iCAD we embrace evolution;
it inspires us to create world-class, leading-edge technologies that empower
clinicians and enhance patient care. Our mission is to deliver transformative
innovations and revolutionize the future of breast cancer detection, and we
will continue to work passionately to provide precise, powerful solutions that
are expertly engineered to optimize operational efficiency, clinician
confidence and improve patient outcomes.
[i] Dell
Technologies. (2019) Timeline [Fact sheet]. Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://corporate.delltechnologies.com/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/timeline.htm
[ii] “Apple Fast
Facts.” Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/business/apple-fast-facts/index.html
[iii]
Sony. “Sony History.” Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/2-09.html
[iv] iCAD, Inc.
(2018) 10-K Form. Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/749660/000119312516501542/d74213d10k.htm
[v] iCAD,
Inc (2002) Annual
Report. Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/vprr/0303/03030841.pdf
[vi] iCAD, Inc. “SecondLook for
2D Mammography.” Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.icadmed.com/secondlook.html
[vii] iCAD, Inc. “iCAD Announces Launch of iReveal® Breast Density Analysis Solution as Latest
Addition to PowerLook Advanced Mammography Platform” [Press release].
Accessed August 5 via https://www.icadmed.com/newsroom.html#!/posts/iCAD-Announces-Launch-of-iReveal-Breast-Density-Analysis-Solution-as-Latest-Addition-to-PowerLook-Advanced-Mammography-Platform/82
[viii]
iCAD Announces Launch of iReveal® Breast Density Analysis
Solution as Latest Addition to PowerLook Advanced Mammography Platform.
Accessed July 31, 2019 via https://www.icadmed.com/newsroom.html#!/posts/iCAD-Announces-Launch-of-iReveal-Breast-Density-Analysis-Solution-as-Latest-Addition-to-PowerLook-Advanced-Mammography-Platform/82
[ix] “PowerLook
Density Assessment.” iCADMed.com.
Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://www.icadmed.com/powerlook-density-assessment.html
[x] Legislation
and Regulation. Accessed July 30, 2019 via https://densebreast-info.org/legislation.aspx
[xi] Mammography/3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis). Accessed August 1, 2019 via https://densebreast-info.org/breast-mammography-tomosynthesis.aspx
[xii]
iCAD, Inc. “PowerLook® Tomo Detection.” Accessed
July 30, 2019 via https://www.icadmed.com/powerlook-tomo-detection.html
[xiii] iCAD, Inc. (2018)
“iCAD Announces FDA Clearance of ProFound AI™ for Digital Breast
Tomosynthesis” [Press release].
Accessed July 31, 2019 via https://www.icadmed.com/newsroom.html#!/posts/iCAD-Announces-FDA-Clearance-of-ProFound-AI-for-Digital-Breast-Tomosynthesis/124
[xiv] Hoffmeister,
J. (2018). Artificial Intelligence for Digital Breast Tomosynthesis – Reader
Study Results. [White paper]. Accessed June 4, 2019 via
https://www.icadmed.com/assets/dmm253-reader-studies-results-rev-a.pdf
[xv]
Conant, E. et al. (2019). Improving Accuracy and Efficiency with Concurrent Use
of Artificial Intelligence for Digital Breast Tomosynthesis. Radiology:
Artificial Intelligence. 1 (4). Accessed on August 6, 2019 via https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/ryai.2019180096