AIRS Medical’s AI-driven solution to cut MRI scan time

[Courtesy of AIRS Medical Inc.]

An artificial intelligence-powered medical solution developed by Korean startup AIRS Medical Inc. drastically cuts the time required for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from an average of 30, 40 minutes to just 5.

Speaking to Maeil Business Newspaper on Wednesday, AIRS Medical’s Chief Executive Officer Lee Hye-seong noted that the company’s SwiftMR Turbo solution, an upgraded version of its predecessor, has been operational at 20 medical institutions across Korea since May 2024.

Traditional MRI machines typically necessitate longer scan durations to ensure image clarity, as shorter scans often yield less distinct images, making an accurate diagnosis challenging. AIRS Medical’s SwiftMR Turbo solution uses AI technology to swiftly enhance low-quality images to high-resolution standards. Despite the brief 5-minute scan time, it achieves image clarity comparable to conventional machines’ 30-to-40-minute scans. Lee added that they plan to introduce the turbo solution to the United States and Germany from January 2025 onward.

Founded in October 2018 by a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering at Seoul National University (SNU), AIRS Medical has rapidly expanded its global footprint. Lee, who graduated from SNU’s medical school in 1990, also studied at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology where he majored in brain and cognitive engineering. He says the company has been targeting international markets since its inception, with SwiftMR already adopted by 468 medical institutions in 26 countries and the company recently opening subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, and Japan to penetrate the market further.

Both patients and medical professionals have praised the significant reduction in scanning time, which has also boosted hospital revenues and resulted in overall positive feedback. Lee is targeting sales of 17 billion won ($12.3 million) in 2024, with 90 percent of sales expected to come from overseas markets. AIRS Medical also secured $20 million in Series C funding, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company and valuing it at 450 billion won. Lee’s technological prowess was recently recognized with a venture startup award from the Maeil Business Newspaper.