Altris unveils artificial intelligence platform for automated OCT scans analysis

This image shows the Altris AI severity detection module. (Images courtesy of Altris)

Chicago-based Altris is taking the wraps off Altris AI, an artificial-intelligence platform for automated OCT scan analysis that is capable of differentiating between pathological and non-pathological b-scans and defining more than 100 retina pathologies, including rare ones.

The company, which was founded in 2018, uses computer vision and deep-learning algorithms for the diagnosis of the retina and can detect glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases.

In a news release, the company noted that according to the International Association of Preventable Blindness, more than 1.1 billion people worldwide live with some level of preventable blindness because of a lack of access to professional diagnostics and eye care services. The mission of Altris AI is to set higher diagnostic standards in the industry and solve the problem of preventable blindness.

According to the company, the system was created by a team of retina experts who understand the pain points of the interpretation of OCT scans and aim to provide their colleagues with a decision-making support system. Altris AI Medical Director Maria Znamenska, PhD, studied ophthalmology and is owner of the ophthalmic clinic.

How does Altris AI work?

Altris AI is a cloud-based platform that is available via a browser to any eye care professional in the world. The artificial intelligence algorithm was trained on millions of graphically labeled OCT scans collected from ophthalmic clinics. Each single OCT scan was labeled by 2 retina experts to exclude human errors.

The company noted that the platform has three basic modules: screening, segmentation/classification and reports.

Screening

An eye care specialist uploads OCT scans (up to 512) from any OCT tomograph and defines if these scans are pathological or not. All file types are supported by Altris AI. The company noted that screening saves time for eye care specialists as they don’t need to work with non-pathological scans.

In this image, the Altris AI segmentation/classification module is shown.

Segmentation/Classification

Then eye care specialists enable pathology detection and visualization with Artificial Intelligence. The algorithm defines 100 retina pathologies and pathological signs including rare, minor, and early pathologies. The Segmentation/Classification module is a great decision-support tool for eye care specialists when working with complex and controversial OCT scans which are regular.

Retinal layers

According to the company, Altris AI can analyze the thickness of each retina layer or several layers combined. OCT reports prepared by the Altris AI platform are comprehensible for eye care professionals and patients as well.

The company also noted in the news release that the platform is now available for eye care professionals or as a corporate software for the ophthalmic clinic or an optometry center. Any eye care professional or manager can sign in for a free trial or a demo on the company’s website.

With 91% cumulative Artificial Intelligence accuracy, Altris AI is not substituting eye care professionals but giving them extra confidence when working with OCT scans.