Covid-19: assessing lung damage
The symptoms of Coronavirus include respiratory problems, and in extreme cases, pneumonia and severe respiratory problems.
The Ghent-based company Robovision is participating in an international scientific study to develop an algorithm. The aim of this algorithm is to quickly assess lung damage from Covid-19.
CT scans and data from patients treated in 30 hospitals across Europe are being provided to scientists participating in the study, which is led by the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI).
This data is used by Robovision to develop the algorithm that will then enable radiologists to make diagnoses more quickly. Once the algorithm is online, it will primarily be useful at the patient triage stage, deciding who needs to be transferred to intensive care.
Another company, the Leuven-based Icometrix, is also analysing lung scans to see what percentage of lung tissue has been damaged by Covid-19.
None of these tools will ever replace doctors, but they are invaluable at a time when, more than ever, speed and quality of diagnosis can save lives.