Smart healthcare is a critical topic in global medical development. Since establishing its core AI Medical Laboratory in May 2018, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has been actively developing and promoting the application of AI in clinical medicine to enhance medical efficiency and quality. To date, the hospital has developed 20 AI technologies for clinical use, including digital pathology and pediatric hip joint ultrasound detection, earning national innovation awards. In 2023, Linkou Chang Gung became the first hospital in Taiwan to obtain FDA medical device licenses for its AI research achievements. So far, the hospital has obtained licenses for three software solutions: scaphoid fracture detection, atrial fibrillation detection, and ventricular systolic function screening.
Precision detection software for scaphoid fractures
Scaphoid fractures in the wrist can initially be subtle, unlike other fractures that present with obvious pain or swelling. Early-stage X-rays often show "false negatives," leading to misdiagnosis as wrist sprains. Delayed diagnosis makes treatment more challenging. Linkou Chang Gung has developed "Scaphoid Fracture Detection Software" using AI technology combined with clinical medical information. This software can effectively detect scaphoid fractures that are difficult to identify clinically. It is now used in orthopedics and radiology, significantly reducing the time and frequency of repeat visits for patients and minimizing missed diagnoses.
This innovation won the National Innovation Award in 2022 and received FDA approval as an AI medical device in 2023. It also obtained a U.S. patent in 2024, successfully entering the international market, promising more convenient and efficient medical services for patients.
Cardiac function module for early disease prediction and diagnosis
The Cardiology Department at Linkou Chang Gung developed an AI module called "Ventricular Systolic Function Screening Software" based on static 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to screen for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. This module was developed, tested, and validated using 380,000 data points from the Chang Gung medical system. Results showed an accuracy rate of 89%, sensitivity of 90%, and specificity of 88%, comparable to similar international systems. This technology received FDA approval as a medical device in February 2024 and can be widely used across various settings and ECG machines.
This module not only allows physicians to instantly assess the likelihood of left ventricular systolic dysfunction but also predicts the 14-year mortality risk for patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Studies indicate that patients with left ventricular dysfunction have a 2.57 times higher overall mortality rate and a 6.09 times higher mortality rate from heart disease over 14 years compared to the general population. For patients with initially normal echocardiograms but abnormal AI predictions, the risk of developing abnormalities is 8.33 times higher.
In addition to its application at Linkou Chang Gung, this AI module will be gradually introduced to primary care clinics, helping medical teams quickly and easily detect left ventricular systolic dysfunction, promoting early diagnosis and treatment, and improving patient outcomes and public health.
AI technology revolutionizing healthcare
AI technology is revolutionizing the healthcare field, and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital is committed to its patient-centered and excellence-driven philosophy. The hospital continues to push the boundaries of AI applications in healthcare, helping medical teams achieve more accurate diagnoses and treatments, improving medical efficiency and quality, and promoting public health.
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