AI Predicts Prostate Cancer Spread from Medical Scans
This patent describes how artificial intelligence can analyze medical scans of a prostate tumor to automatically identify suspect regions and predict if the cancer will spread to other parts of the body.
Original patent title: “Systems and methods for AI-assisted analysis of primary tumor images for prediction of metastases”
This patent describes how artificial intelligence can analyze medical scans of a prostate tumor to automatically identify suspect regions and predict if the cancer will spread to other parts of the body. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details systems and methods that use artificial intelligence, specifically a convolutional neural network (CNN), to analyze medical images of the prostate. The system automatically identifies 'suspect regions' or 'hotspots' within images like PET, CT, or PET/CT scans. It then uses these identified regions to predict whether localized prostate cancer has spread or will spread, a process known as metastasis. For example, a doctor could upload a patient's prostate PET/CT scan, and the AI system would highlight areas of concern and provide a prediction on the likelihood of the cancer spreading.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover predicting cancer spread from images of organs other than the prostate.
- Does not cover using different types of AI models beyond convolutional neural networks for this specific prediction.
- Does not cover predicting other cancer outcomes, such as tumor growth rate or response to treatment, only metastasis.
- Does not cover using other imaging modalities like MRI or ultrasound for this specific prediction of prostate cancer metastasis.
- Does not cover manual identification of suspect regions without AI assistance.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The novel aspect is the automated identification of specific 'suspect regions' within prostate images by a convolutional neural network, which is then directly used to predict the likelihood of cancer spreading, rather than just detecting the presence of a tumor.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
AI-powered diagnostic tools for prostate cancer staging
Clinical decision support systems for oncology
Medical imaging analysis software for predictive analytics
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Accurate and early prediction of cancer metastasis is critical for effective treatment planning and improving patient outcomes. This technology aims to provide clinicians with a powerful tool to assess the risk of prostate cancer spreading, potentially enabling more personalized and timely interventions. It represents a significant step towards integrating advanced AI capabilities into routine oncology diagnostics, enhancing the precision of medical prognoses.
Filed
May 17, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in medical imaging and AI diagnostics are actively developing technologies in this space. Major players like Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, and Philips are investing in AI-driven solutions for oncology. Additionally, numerous startups focused on AI in healthcare, such as Paige.AI and PathAI, are exploring similar applications for cancer prediction and pathology analysis.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the growing field of AI-assisted medical diagnostics, particularly in oncology. If widely adopted, it could significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of prostate cancer prognoses, potentially leading to earlier and more tailored treatment plans. It pushes the medical imaging and AI diagnostics market towards more predictive and personalized tools, offering clinicians better insights into disease progression and patient risk.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details systems and methods that use artificial intelligence, specifically a convolutional neural network (CNN), to analyze medical images of the prostate. The system automatically identifies 'suspect regions' or 'hotspots' within images like PET, CT, or PET/CT scans. It then uses these identified regions to predict whether localized prostate cancer has spread or will spread, a process known as metastasis. For example, a doctor could upload a patient's prostate PET/CT scan, and the AI system would highlight areas of concern and provide a prediction on the likelihood of the cancer spreading.
The clever bit
The novel aspect is the automated identification of specific 'suspect regions' within prostate images by a convolutional neural network, which is then directly used to predict the likelihood of cancer spreading, rather than just detecting the presence of a tumor.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover predicting cancer spread from images of organs other than the prostate.
- Does not cover using different types of AI models beyond convolutional neural networks for this specific prediction.
- Does not cover predicting other cancer outcomes, such as tumor growth rate or response to treatment, only metastasis.
- Does not cover using other imaging modalities like MRI or ultrasound for this specific prediction of prostate cancer metastasis.
- Does not cover manual identification of suspect regions without AI assistance.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$19K – $61K
Midpoint $38K · 17.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). AI Predicts Prostate Cancer Spread from Medical Scans (U.S. Patent No. 12,737,884). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737884/systems-and-methods-for-ai-assisted-analysis-of-primary-tumor-images-for
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AI Predicts Prostate Cancer Spread from Medical Scans cover?
This patent describes how artificial intelligence can analyze medical scans of a prostate tumor to automatically identify suspect regions and predict if the cancer will spread to other parts of the body.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Accurate and early prediction of cancer metastasis is critical for effective treatment planning and improving patient outcomes. This technology aims to provide clinicians with a powerful tool to assess the risk of prostate cancer spreading, potentially enabling more personalized and timely interventions. It represents a significant step towards integrating advanced AI capabilities into routine oncology diagnostics, enhancing the precision of medical prognoses.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover predicting cancer spread from images of organs other than the prostate.
Patent monitoring