Is the New Mini-MRI Safe and Ethical for Use in Medical Diagnosis?

[BillTre]

Here is a Science mag news article on cheaper and more portable MRI for brain scanning.
Compared to current machines, it is much smaller (~400 Kg) and cheaper ("if market demand can bring down the cost of a key component, he thinks it could eventually cost $200,000 or less, versus millions of dollars for current scanners").
The article also discusses the ethical issues that arise from having brains scanners spitting out scans without obvious direct links with the meidcal community.

 

[gleem]

The article also discusses the ethical issues that arise from having brains scanners spitting out scans without obvious direct links with the meidcal community.

I do not think that it is likely that the Federal Drug Administration responsible for the efficacious and safe use of medical devices will approve the use of any AI enhanced device for medical diagnosis without a qualified physician in the loop let alone the American College of Radiology which would lobby aggressively for their inclusion. Of course that does't mean that some unethical persons might not try to follow the rules and use these for their financial gain without concern for the person. Typically all proper imaging services are certified by federal or the state, and professional agencies. One should always assure that the facility and attending physician are certified for the procedures advertised.

Currently there are screening vans making rounds using ultrasound scanning for such things as plaque build up in the carotid arteries or abdominal aneurysms. As usual buyer beware.