Anyone who has faced a health challenge knows that a diagnosis can take time, often, a lot of time. Studies suggest that the average patient can wait 25 to 1,800 days for a diagnosis, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that this timeline can extend to four to five years for rare or complex diseases.
Lung diseases are challenging to diagnose, as symptoms develop gradually over many years. For instance, a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) might experience a decade of cough, frequent respiratory infections, and breathlessness during exercise before receiving a formal diagnosis. Without a diagnosis, many patients remain in limbo, unable to access treatments or strategies that could improve their quality of life.
The strain on healthcare systems is significant. Multiple imaging tests, biopsies, and numerous appointments are often required to diagnose lung disease accurately. Institutions such as the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system frequently encounter patients with poor respiratory health and are overwhelmed by the number of tests and procedures needed by these patients. The American Lung Association estimates that COPD alone costs nearly $50 billion annually, including $29.5 billion in direct healthcare expenditures, $12.4 billion in indirect mortality, and $8.0 billion in indirect morbidity costs. These figures don’t even account for the time healthcare providers spend consulting with patients, requesting and reviewing imaging reports, and piecing together an often fragmented puzzle of information.
The Promise of 4D Imaging Technology
New 4D imaging technology is changing the game. It produces dynamic, real-time images of the lungs, allowing healthcare providers to observe how the lungs behave during breathing cycles. This innovation enables earlier and more accurate diagnoses, allowing doctors to intervene sooner and offer better patient care. Read more in Radiology Today.
Faster and Less Invasive Diagnosis
Traditional diagnostic methods for lung diseases—such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis—often involve multiple imaging modalities, like CT scans and X-rays, and sometimes, risky and invasive biopsies. These procedures can delay diagnosis, cause patient anxiety, and postpone treatment. For example, COPD is commonly diagnosed through symptom reporting, spirometry, and traditional imaging tests. Patients may undergo multiple X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs before receiving a diagnosis. Unfortunately, the delay means they miss the opportunity for early interventions like medication or pulmonary rehabilitation, which can delay disease progression.
4D imaging, however, is opening the door to non-invasive and accurate diagnostic methods. Researchers from Johns Hopkins and the University of Miami presented findings at the 2024 American Thoracic Society’s International Conference, showing that 4DMedical’s XV Lung Ventilation Analysis Software can assess regional ventilation defects. This ability is critical for optimizing treatment plans for new procedures like Endobronchial Valve (EBV) Therapy, which has been shown to improve lung function in COPD patients significantly.
Better Resource Allocation and Cost Savings
Advanced imaging solutions reduce the need for multiple tests, saving hospitals and clinics significant costs. For example, 4DMedical’s XV LVAS® (X-ray Velocimetry Lung Ventilation Analysis Software), CT LVAS™ (CT Lung Ventilation Analysis Software) and LDA Lung Density Analysis (LDA) process conventional X-ray and CT scans, respectively, providing detailed insights into lung health not available through traditional methods. These tools quantify regional lung ventilation and highlight high or low-ventilation areas, offering a highly personalized view of lung health. One case study demonstrated that a patient complaining of breathlessness after post-COVID pneumonia had reduced ventilation in the left upper lobe. This allowed their care team to prescribe the correct inhalers to improve daily lung function and recovery.
Additionally, newer imaging techniques allow healthcare providers to monitor multiple conditions with a single scan. For example, ClearRead CT technology by Riverain enhances low-dose lung cancer screenings by automatically detecting nodules of all types at sizes as small as 5mm. Thanks to Imbio’s FDA-cleared Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) tool, which provides rapid, accurate data for radiologists and cardiologists, the same existing chest CT scans can also be used to screen for coronary artery calcifications.
Additionally, newer technologies enable healthcare providers to leverage a comprehensive imaging panel suite of advanced analytical tools that assess multiple lung and cardiovascular conditions from a single scan. For example, Lung Density Analysis imaging (LDAi) offers detailed assessments of lung tissue health, delivering insights into early-stage chronic lung disease. LDAi includes a patient-focused report, Lung Map™, to facilitate education and encourage smoking cessation and further intensifying patient engagement and supporting better healthcare outcomes. Also included in the suite is ClearRead CT by Riverain which enhances low-dose lung cancer screenings by automatically identifying lung nodules of all types down to 5mm. Additionally coupled with the suite, 4Dmedical’s Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) rapidly analyzes existing chest CT scans for coronary artery calcifications, assisting radiologists and cardiologists in early cardiac risk identification.
Streamlined Workflows and Improved Efficiency
Healthcare systems are under immense pressure to do more with fewer resources. Rising patient volumes, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and increasing care complexity demand tools that enhance efficiency without compromising quality.
At the annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference, industry leaders Jeff DiLullo, Executive Vice President of Philips North America, and Prof. Andreas Fouras, CEO of 4DMedical, discussed how advanced imaging technology improves healthcare accessibility, particularly for Veterans.
Many veterans have long struggled with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma. Oftentimes, imaging scans are normal despite ongoing symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Fortunately, new imaging technologies are offering more accurate, noninvasive diagnostic solutions. AI-driven algorithms can now identify lung issues with remarkable sensitivity—some systems even achieve up to 98% agreement with biopsy results. These breakthroughs improve the speed and quality of care and enhance the patient experience by reducing the need for invasive procedures. Advanced AI systems integrated into CT scanners can quickly analyze large volumes of scans and identify service-related respiratory issues with greater accuracy.
4DMedical’s CT:VQ technology, currently in clinical trials, offers the potential to replace nuclear VQ scans, providing detailed ventilation and perfusion data with existing CT equipment. This reduces costs and increases accessibility, making it a faster, more efficient alternative that could be deployed in VA clinics or regional hospitals nationwide.
Integrating AI and advanced imaging technologies is poised to revolutionize lung disease diagnosis and treatment, improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall patient experience.