EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan State University is now home to a new center that is leading the way in patient care and AI research.

“People that we may have said, may have no operative solution to their life threatening problem, or that we would have had to send away, can have their care right here at MSU,” said surgeon Dr. Jordan Knepper. “If a patient has a heart problem and a vascular disease at the same time, we can take care of that in one place, instead of taking that over multiple times and multiple visits.”

Knepper is also the director of the newly opened health center.

The center is one of only 20 global sites being used for a clinical trial that will use artificial intelligence to help operate, generating a “real-time” image with x-rays to accurately depict the inside of the patients body during surgery.

“It’s using the artificial intelligence processes to predict where body movements are going to occur,” Knepper explained. “And then it’s going to use the augmented imaging, to put that up on a screen so I can see reality with it’s predictions right over top of each other.”

Officials say, it’s meant to speed up the process, and make it safer, so they’ll use less radiation and medication during procedures.

Patients will have the choice to use the new tech, once the installation is complete.

“We are now going to be able to do these top tier university and hospital based procedures right here in mid-Michigan, that I would have had to send to Cleveland Clinic or Houston, Texas previously,” Knepper said.

Dr. Knepper said he’s not worried about AI taking his job quite yet. Instead it’s just another tool available to him.

Conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysm, complex venous disease, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins and nonhealing ulcers will be treated at the center.

Later this summer, the center will add a minimally invasive vascular lab.

The minimally invasive lab will facilitate angioplasties, atherectomies, central and peripheral venous interventions, diagnostic angiography and venography, dialysis access maintenance, intravascular ultrasound, peripheral arterial interventions in lower extremities, and stenting.

“I am very enthusiastic to be part of the integration of cardiology and vascular surgery services at MSU Health Care Heart and Vascular Center,” said Dr. George Abela, one of the physicians at the new heart and vascular center.

“By combining our expertise, we can deliver more personalized treatment plans, enhanced coordination, and improved outcomes for our patients,” Abela said.

The new facility is located at 4660 South Hagadorn Road, in suite 600, East Lansing.