The Clear AI software can help with identification coronary plaque features in CT scans that may cause heart attacks. Cleerly Coronary’s noninvasive, AI-driven approach supports the understanding of plaques using FDA-cleared technologies.
July 16, 2021 — Canon Medical Systems USA is joining forces with Cleerly in a strategic partnership to support simple and streamlined adoption of cardiac computed tomography (CT). Together, the companies aim to support broader adoption of cardiac CT for the diagnosis and triage of heart disease, including incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve both the imaging and automate the post processing of datasets.
The collaboration agreement brings together the latest cardiac CT technologies, designed to simplify and automate CT acquisition, with auto-generated reporting based on advanced whole-heart atherosclerosis analysis. The result is comprehensive, consistent, and accessible care poised to advance the fight against this deadly disease.
"Cleerly is delighted to announce its partnership with Canon, which will for the first time combine Cleerly's cutting-edge whole-heart quantification and plaque characterization algorithms with Canon's industry-leading high-definition CT acquisition and reconstruction technology,” explained James Min, M.D., founder and CEO, Cleerly. “This groundbreaking partnership will equip physicians with heretofore unseen levels of precision when treating patients, enabling true prevention at scale.”
The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment. Because of recent scientific developments in cardiac disease management, CT is positioned as a first-line tool in the diagnosis and triage of coronary artery disease. But the complexities of introducing a new imaging service-line, and the challenges of reader variability, have hampered widespread adoption of cardiac CT.
The Canon/Cleerly solution directly addresses these challenges by offering AI-enabled whole-heart atherosclerosis evaluation with auto-generated reports supporting consistent and clinically relevant results. Whether customers want to build a new advanced cardiac CT imaging program from the ground up or already have an existing one, this integrated solution is expected to help accelerate and enhance cardiac CT programs. These programs are more important than ever before to meet the growing cardiovascular needs of healthcare providers: Today, heart attacks account for one in every four deaths. In addition, a heart attack or death is often the first symptom of heart disease in more than 50% of individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
Canon Medical Systems has a long track record of innovation in cardiac care. This includes creating one-beat cardiac CT for conventional and spectral imaging and a robust portfolio of cardiac CT imaging solutions, including the award-winning Vitrea advanced visualization applications. These solutions enable comprehensive cardiac assessments that are consistent and accessible across care providers and patients. By adding Cleerly’s innovative digital care pathway to Canon’s product line-up, Canon is delivering on a commitment to offer meaningful technologies that simplify the care process and enhance clinical insights.
“Once again, Canon has harnessed its strengths and expertise to address pressing healthcare problems, such as heart disease,” said Yuji Hamada, president and CEO, Canon Medical Systems USA. “This partnership is yet another example of how we find creative solutions to serve our customers and help them deliver the highest levels of care.”
For more information: https://us.medical.canon, www.cleerlyhealth.com
May 12, 2020 
