Enterprise Ireland 'Big Ideas' - Gerard Lacey Endoview

Endoview -- Improving Screening for Colon Cancer

Imagine going for a test where over one in five of potential cancers will be missed . . .
Colon cancer is third most common cancer in the developed world and health authorities recommend that everyone over the age of 55 should be screened every five years. Colonoscopy is the gold standard screening method and involves inserting a flexible camera into the rectum and searching the surface of the colon for potential cancers. However, colonoscopy is not perfect; studies have shown that 22% of polyps less than 1cm are missed during screenings. Polyps are missed because some parts of the colon were never seen by the clinician due to difficulties in manoeuvring the scope or poor bowel preparation.
EndoView, a research collaboration between Trinity College Dublin, Beaumont Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, has developed a system to help clinicians achieve a high quality colon screenings every time. Endoview uses robotics software to build a map of the colon and measures the images to ensure that all parts of the colon have been properly inspected. At the end of every procedure the system produces a quality report using the same measurements as the medical credentialing bodies such as JAG in the UK or SAGES in the USA.

Although the technology has wide application in minimally invasive medicine, Endoview will first be available as a software add on for scope manufactures and as a retrofit for existing camera units. This new data will allow colonoscopy practice managers to achieve excellent patient outcomes by ensuring that each colonoscopy is performed to the highest possible standard despite the pressure to achieve a high volume of screenings. And as patients, we can be reassured that our screening test has been conducted in line with clinical best practice.

Presenter: Dr. Gerard Lacey, Trinity College Dublin
Collaborators: Dr Stephen Patchett, Beaumont Hospital; Prof Hugh Mulcahy, St Vincent's Hospital

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Science & Technology

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