Medical IP’s X-ray-based lung analysis SW gets nod

Medical IP said Tuesday it obtained a second-class medical device certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its medical image analysis software, TiSepX Lung Volumetry, which calculates lung volume using chest X-rays.

TiSepX is the abbreviation for tissue separation from X-ray. It is a technology that quantitatively analyzes lungs and organs by transforming X-ray images into three-dimensional images and makes CT-like numerical calculations using a deep learning model.

TiSepX Lung Volumetry can automatically analyze quantitative information of the lung volume only with chest X-rays without additional tests such as pulmonary function tests (PFT), plethysmography, or CT scans.

"The results analyzed through TiSepX Lung Volumetry can be used to diagnose, manage, and follow up with high interstitial lung diseases related to lung capacity,” said a company official. “Additionally, it solves inefficiencies, such as time, cost, and manpower required for existing lung capacity tests. It is a very effective solution for the elderly and patients with limited physical ability."

Moreover, the clinical usefulness of TiSepX Lung Volumetry was confirmed by a study using deep learning models for estimating lung capacity and predicting survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis published in the journal Radiology last year.

Professor Ronald L. Sorkness of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said in the paper, "Fast, simple, and low-risk pulmonary measurement technology has the potential to replace conventional pulmonary testing."

TiSepX Lung Volumetry is the first case of commercialization. Domestic approval of the T-Sep technology and the company plans to expand its X-ray three-dimensional analysis lineup to various specialized products such as hearts, bones, and blood vessels, according to Medical IP.

"We have already engaged in discussions with X-ray equipment companies on installing TiSepX Lung Volume and aim to innovate the global X-ray image analysis market by obtaining overseas marketing approvals quickly," CEO Park Sang-joon said.