ROPCA – ROPCA Aps

ROPCA is a Danish company that automates ultrasound imaging and assessment for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Founded in 2019 by rheumatologist Dr Søren Andreas Just and robotics professor Thiusius Rajeeth Savarimuthu, ROPCA aims to enhance patient care through innovative technology.

Their flagship product, ARTHUR, is a CE-marked medical device that performs autonomous ultrasound scans of patients' hands, ensuring consistent and high-quality imaging. At the core of ARTHUR is DIANA, a powerful AI developed and trained by ROPCA to analyse ultrasound images and generate detailed disease activity reports. This AI-driven approach aids specialists in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Through its cutting-edge technology, ROPCA is addressing the growing demand for RA diagnostics, helping to reduce specialist workload while improving patient outcomes.

What is the role of ROPCA in Autopix

Within the AutoPiX project, ROPCA plays a key role in advancing AI-driven, robotic ultrasound imaging for rheumatic diseases. Through the PiX-Robo trial, ROPCA's robotic ultrasound system, ARTHUR, will be evaluated against traditional expert-based ultrasound assessments. By integrating AI-based automation into ultrasound imaging, ROPCA aims to make imaging more standardized, accessible, and less dependent on operator expertise. This approach will help reduce variability in ultrasound assessments and contribute to AutoPiX's broader goal of establishing an evidence base for point-of-care technologies in rheumatology. With ARTHUR and ROPCA’s expertise in automated imaging, AutoPiX is taking a major step toward more precise, objective, and scalable diagnostic solutions for arthritis.

Q&A

In which part of the patient journey will your institution contribute most?

ROPCA’s primary contribution to the AutoPiX project lies in the diagnostic phase of the patient journey, where early and precise imaging is crucial for identifying rheumatic diseases. By integrating AI-driven robotic ultrasound technology, we aim to make high-quality imaging more accessible and standardised, reducing dependency on operator expertise and improving diagnostic accuracy. Our work within the PiX-Robo trial will provide evidence for the effectiveness of automated ultrasound compared to traditional expert-based assessments, ensuring more consistent and reliable imaging outcomes.

What long-term impacts do you envision?

In the long term, we envision a healthcare landscape where AI-powered robotic imaging becomes an essential tool in rheumatology, enabling earlier detection and improved disease monitoring. By automating ultrasound assessments, we can reduce variability, expand access to advanced imaging beyond specialised centres, and ultimately improve patient outcomes by ensuring faster, more accurate diagnoses.

Why is it important?

This is important because millions of people worldwide suffer from rheumatic diseases, and many face delays in diagnosis due to a shortage of specialists and inconsistencies in imaging assessments. By making high-quality ultrasound technology more accessible, we help close this gap, enabling earlier interventions, more precise treatment decisions, and improved disease management. Our role in AutoPiX marks a step toward more efficient, standardised, and scalable rheumatology diagnostic solutions, ultimately benefiting healthcare professionals and patients.