- Filipino Students Develop AI Software for Early Detection of Heart Disease
- Pintig: AI-Powered Software Revolutionizes Heart Plaque Detection
- Quezon City Students Win Award for Life-Saving AI Technology
- High Schoolers Develop AI with 98% Accuracy in Detecting Heart Plaque
A group of innovative Grade 11 students from Quezon City Science High School have developed an artificial intelligence-powered software that can revolutionize the detection of heart plaque. Dubbed "Preemptive Identification Of Neointimal Tissue In Imaging For Gleaning Atherosclerotic Plaques" or Pintig, the software analyzes CT scan images to identify and classify plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart.
As featured on the "Game Changer" segment of GMA's "24 Oras," Pintig addresses a critical healthcare challenge. Currently, detection of heart plaque often occurs at an advanced stage, requiring invasive procedures and posing significant risks to patients.
"The problem with our current landscape is that it can only be detected during its advanced stage, and it's difficult to mitigate," explained Kenzo Miguel Tayko, one of the developers. "You have to go through a series of invasive surgeries that may not just damage the structure of the patient but also pose expensive costs."
Pintig offers a potential solution by providing an assistive tool for medical professionals. The software examines each pixel of the CT scan image, detecting minute details as small as 50 micrometers, invisible to the naked eye. This allows for early and accurate identification of atherosclerosis plaque.
To achieve its high accuracy rate of 98%, the students trained Pintig on a massive dataset of 14,000 CT scan images from approximately 200 patients. This extensive training allows the AI to effectively identify and classify plaque buildup.
Using Pintig is straightforward. Registered patients can upload their heart images from a CT scan to the software's "Run Image Analysis" feature. Within seconds, Pintig diagnoses whether the heart is positive or negative for coronary artery disease (CAD) plaque. The results are then displayed in the patient's profile within the software.
This groundbreaking innovation earned the students first place in the Robotics Intelligent Machines category at the recent regional science and technology fair.
To further validate and refine Pintig, the students are collaborating with the Philippine Heart Center to conduct clinical trials. This collaboration promises to bring this life-saving technology closer to real-world application, potentially transforming how heart disease is diagnosed and managed in the Philippines and beyond.
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