New Lantern: Revolutionizing Radiology Workflows with AI and Cloud Technology
- 27/11/2024 01:00 AM
- Kevin
Radiologists are highly skilled professionals, yet their workdays are often bogged down by repetitive and tedious tasks. This inefficiency struck a personal chord with Shiva Suri, who observed the challenges firsthand during the pandemic when he quarantined and shared a home office with his mother, a respected radiologist.
“I watched her work day in and day out, and she was wasting about seven to eight hours on boring workflow tasks,” Suri recounted. “Only 5% of her time, she had her radiology thinking cap on. That was really sad.”
Motivated by this inefficiency, Suri, then an engineer at big data analytics company Confluent, set out to create a solution. The result was New Lantern, a groundbreaking startup that uses AI to eliminate the mundane aspects of radiology work, enabling radiologists to focus on what they do best—analyzing medical scans and providing actionable diagnoses.
The Genesis of New Lantern
Suri’s journey began by identifying the main pain points in his mother’s daily routine. Radiologists rely heavily on two primary tools:
- PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System): The digital library where medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, are stored and viewed.
- Reporting Software: Used to translate scan findings into detailed diagnoses.
Switching between these two systems was a cumbersome and inefficient process. To address this, New Lantern combined them into a single, unified platform, simplifying workflows and reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
This integration is more than just a convenience. By using AI to automate processes such as 3D measurements on scans and report writing, New Lantern allows radiologists to focus their expertise on interpreting images rather than navigating clunky software.
AI’s Role in Radiology: Assistance, Not Replacement
For years, experts have debated the role of AI in radiology, with some predicting that AI would eventually replace radiologists altogether. However, that future has not materialized, and a shortage of radiologists persists.
New Lantern takes a different approach to AI in radiology. Rather than attempting to replace human professionals, it focuses on using AI to enhance their efficiency. Eric Vishria, a general partner at Benchmark, explained this perspective:
“Suri’s realization was that instead of using AI to analyze images, AI can help with the drudgery and let the doctor do what doctors enjoy doing and are really good at, which is reading the scans.”
This distinction resonated with Vishria, leading Benchmark to spearhead New Lantern’s recent $19 million Series A funding round.
Efficiency Gains and Market Disruption
New Lantern claims its software can double radiologists’ efficiency, enabling them to complete twice as many cases in the same amount of time. This capability could significantly alleviate the strain on overworked radiology departments and improve patient care by speeding up diagnoses.
The platform’s innovation doesn’t stop with AI. New Lantern is also modernizing data storage by leveraging cloud technology. According to Suri, many PACS vendors still rely on on-premises systems, which can be costly and less adaptable to modern workflows.
New Lantern’s approach represents a major shift in radiology software, positioning it as a disruptor in a market long dominated by incumbents like GE Healthcare, Philips, and Microsoft’s Nuance.
Competition in the Radiology Software Space
While New Lantern has ambitious plans to redefine radiology workflows, it isn’t without competition.
- Rad AI, backed by Khosla Ventures, has made significant strides in capturing market share with its AI-first approach to radiology software.
- Established players like GE Healthcare and Philips continue to dominate the PACS market, while Nuance remains a leader in reporting software.
Despite these challenges, Suri is confident that New Lantern can bring the most significant evolution to the industry since the transition from physical film to digital PACS systems over 25 years ago.
Customer Adoption and Future Plans
Although Suri declined to disclose specific customers, he revealed that several radiology practices are already using New Lantern’s platform. Early feedback has been promising, and the company is poised to expand its reach as it continues refining its technology.
New Lantern’s potential impact goes beyond mere efficiency. By streamlining workflows and reducing administrative burdens, it aims to improve job satisfaction for radiologists while enhancing the overall quality of care for patients.
A Personal Mission Turned Industry Revolution
For Suri, New Lantern is more than just a business venture—it’s a personal mission inspired by his mother’s experiences. And while the startup’s ultimate success will depend on its ability to scale and compete in a crowded market, one thing is clear: Suri’s mom is already a fan.
“I built this for her,” Suri said. “And if it makes her life easier, I know we’re on the right track.”
Conclusion
New Lantern is redefining the role of AI in radiology by focusing on assistance rather than replacement. Its innovative platform addresses longstanding inefficiencies in radiology workflows, enabling professionals to spend more time on high-value tasks and less on administrative drudgery.
With significant backing from investors like Benchmark and a vision to modernize the radiology landscape, New Lantern is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry. As it continues to grow and evolve, it may well become the most significant advancement in radiology since the adoption of PACS.
For now, Suri’s vision of empowering radiologists to do what they do best—saving lives—is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
