Taking AI into Clinical Production with MONAI Deploy

MONAI Deploy provides a set of open source tools for developing, packaging, testing, deploying, and running medical AI applications.

David Bericat
7 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article discusses how MONAI Deploy facilitates the transition of AI models from development to clinical production, addressing the challenges faced by medical AI developers. It highlights the capabilities of MONAI Deploy in building, packaging, and deploying medical AI applications, as well as the tools available for streamlining workflows in clinical settings.

What You'll Learn

1

How to build and deploy a MONAI Application Package (MAP) in under 20 minutes

2

Why using MONAI Deploy can streamline clinical AI workflows

3

How to utilize the MONAI Model Zoo for rapid application development

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Understanding of medical imaging and AI concepts
  • Familiarity with Docker and Python programming(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What is MONAI Deploy and how does it assist in clinical AI applications?
MONAI Deploy is an open-source toolset that helps medical AI developers package, test, and deploy AI models into clinical applications. It streamlines the development process and ensures interoperability with medical imaging systems, enabling faster transition from research to clinical use.
How can developers create a MONAI Application Package (MAP)?
Developers can create a MAP by writing an application class that defines the workflow and operators, which can be executed locally. The MONAI Deploy App SDK simplifies this process, allowing for rapid application development with minimal code.
What are the benefits of using MONAI Deploy Express?
MONAI Deploy Express accelerates the testing and validation of MAPs by providing a simplified environment for local testing. It allows users to connect to test PACS systems and ensures a consistent experience across development and production environments.
What types of medical AI applications can be built with MONAI?
With MONAI, developers can create applications for classifying medical imaging studies, segmenting structures, processing live data streams, and identifying trends for population health assessments. These applications enhance workflow efficiency and clinical insights.

Key Statistics & Figures

Percentage of data science projects that never make it into production
87%
This statistic highlights the challenges faced by data science teams in transitioning models from development to clinical applications.
Number of pretrained models available in the MONAI Model Zoo
more than 15
These models cover various imaging modalities such as CT, MR, Pathology, and Endoscopy, providing a robust starting point for developers.

Technologies & Tools

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Software
Monai Deploy App SDK
Used for building, packaging, and deploying medical AI applications.
Software
Docker
Facilitates the deployment of MONAI Application Packages (MAPs) in clinical environments.
Standard
Dicom
Standard for medical imaging interoperability used in MONAI Deploy.
Standard
Fhir
Standard for healthcare data exchange used in MONAI Deploy.
Standard
Hl7
Standard for healthcare information exchange used in MONAI Deploy.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Leverage the MONAI Model Zoo to kickstart your AI application development process.
Utilizing pretrained models from the MONAI Model Zoo can significantly reduce development time and effort, allowing developers to focus on customizing applications for specific clinical needs.
2
Implement the MONAI Deploy App SDK for efficient packaging and deployment of AI models.
By using the SDK, developers can create portable applications that can be deployed in any clinical setting with a Docker engine, facilitating easier integration into existing workflows.
3
Adopt MONAI Deploy Express for early-stage testing of MAPs.
This tool simplifies the validation process in a workstation environment, allowing for quick iterations and adjustments before moving to production, which can save time and resources.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to properly test MAPs before deployment can lead to issues in clinical settings.
Without thorough testing, developers may overlook critical bugs or performance issues that could affect patient care, making it essential to utilize tools like MONAI Deploy Express for validation.

Related Concepts

Medical AI Applications
Clinical Workflows
AI Model Deployment
Dicom Standards