World Conference on Lung Health: Portable DR System from SIUI Facilitates Tuberculosis Screening

From November 12 to 16, 2024, the Bali International Convention Center in Indonesia hosted a major global event in the field of lung health, the Union World Conference on Lung Health 2024. This conference is the world's premier meeting focused on lung health and respiratory diseases, attracting experts, scientists, doctors, nurses, public health practitioners, and representatives from tuberculosis-affected communities worldwide to discuss the latest advancements in global lung health and tuberculosis prevention and treatment.

The conference was organized by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Founded in 1920, the Union is a scientific organization comprised of governmental and non-governmental institutions, charities, donors, professional associations, patient groups, and civil society organizations. It is dedicated to addressing global public health challenges.

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is caused by the bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium can affect most of the organs in the human body, with the exception of the nails, hair, and teeth. However, it primarily targets the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is mainly transmitted through the respiratory system, making everyone susceptible to infection. High-risk groups, including individuals living with HIV, people with weak immunity, diabetes patients, people with pneumoconiosis, and the elderly, are particularly prone to developing the disease and should undergo regular TB screenings annually. 

The 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report* reveals that in 2023, tuberculosis once again became the world's leading killer in infectious diseases, surpassing COVID-19. It remains the top cause of death among people living with HIV and a major driver of deaths related to antimicrobial resistance.

In 2023, there were 10.8 million new TB cases globally (95% confidence interval: 10.1–11.7 million). Among the cases, 55% were men, 33% were women, and 12% are children and adolescents. TB/HIV co-infections accounted for 6.1% of all cases.

It is estimated that the morbidity of TB has increased by 4.6% between 2020 and 2023, breaking the trend of a decline of around 2% per year from 2010 to 2020. In 2023, the estimated number of TB-related deaths worldwide was 1.25 million (95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.37 million), including 161,000 HIV-infected individuals. This marks a decrease from 1.32 million deaths recorded in 2022. 

Early screening and diagnosis of tuberculosis are crucial for controlling the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of chest radiographs (CXR) as a screening tool, which plays a vital role in the early detection of tuberculosis in children and adults at high risk.

The accurate diagnosis of CXRs highly depends on the clinical experience of radiologists. However, there is a shortage of radiologists in countries with high burden of TB. In 2021, WHO recommended the use of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) for TB screening and triage for the first time. The application of DR (Digital Radiography) combined with CAD in TB detection has gained widespread attention, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce costs. 

At the conference, Sinopharm shared a solution integrating SIUI’s portable DR system with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The portable DR system features an ergonomic dual-backpack package design, high environmental adaptability, and long battery life, enabling rapid deployment in remote areas for screening purposes.

Equipped with AI diagnostic capabilities for tuberculosis, the portable DR system can assist doctors in accurately determining the infection status of TB within minutes, providing a scientific basis for source control and subsequent intervention and treatment. It effectively promoting early detection, early intervention, and the timely containment of TB transmission.

Since 2023, a non-profit organization in Pakistan focused on TB-related innovation has been utilizing SIUI's portable TB screening solution to conduct decentralized TB screening across the country. To date, over 8,031 individuals have been screened, with approximately 219 patients diagnosed with TB. The screening group included high-risk population such as TB contacts and prisoners. Preventive treatment for TB has been provided to halt the progression of the disease.

At the conference, Jarred Halton, from Doctors Without Borders, presented an evaluation report titled Assessment of Scattered and Leakage Radiation from Ultra-Portable X-ray Systems in Chest. The equipment from SIUI, being one of the tested portable X-ray systems, underwent the scattered and leakage radiation test at 90kV and exposure distances of 1 meter and 1.8 meters. Results indicate that, in most cases, adhering to radiation safety principles of time, distance, and shielding, the radiation dosage for radiologists and screening personnel / community members remains below permissible limits.

SIUI, as a recommended equipment provider for tuberculosis screening by the Global Fund, introduced the portable DR system equipped with AI diagnosis solutions for TB to tuberculosis experts from Africa and Southeast Asia. The experts highly recognized the design of the product in terms of its low-radiation design, extended battery life, multiple charging options, and one-click AI function activation.

Tuberculosis prevention and control rely heavily on screening. The TB screening imaging solution from SIUI includes a lightweight X-ray generator, a wireless flat-panel detector, and an imaging workstation with AI diagnostic capabilities. This solution provides timely and professional diagnostic services for individual and community screenings. It can be deployed in various environments, including medical vehicles, temporary screening stations, and remote areas, enabling efficient large-scale screening for tuberculosis and other chest diseases.

* WHO (2024). Global tuberculosis report 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240101531