iCAD launches new polyp detection tool for virtual colonography
2 June 2010
iCAD, Inc. has launched a new version of its VeraLook
computer-aided detection (CAD) technology for CT colonography (CTC), or
virtual colonoscopy.
It is being launched at the 21st Annual Meeting of the European
Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR), June 2
– 5, 2010 in Dresden, Germany.
VeraLook detects and highlights potential polyps during CTC
examinations. The newest version of VeraLook features performance
improvements including a greater than 5% increase in the sensitivity
of potential polyp detection, and a 20% reduction in false
positives.
In Europe, approximately 212,000 people die from colon cancer
each year. When caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable but
few patients recommended to be screened for colon cancer are
actually tested. This reluctance can be directly linked in part to
patients’ general discomfort with the traditional colonoscopy
process.
Extensive testing with radiologists has demonstrated that the use
of VeraLook improved reader sensitivity to all colonic polyps in a
statistically significant manner — particularly for smaller, more
easily missed polyps and pre-cancerous polyps which can develop into
malignancies over time.
VeraLook has also demonstrated high standalone sensitivity to
detecting polyps, while generating a low number of clinically
acceptable false positive marks on CTC images. Reader and standalone
testing was conducted using exams containing various types of polyps
including sessile, flat and pedunculated, and on patients prepped
using different methodologies.
“VeraLook is already being sold commercially in Europe and
Canada, and is an important tool in helping radiologists find colon
cancers earlier and with greater confidence,” said Ken Ferry,
president and CEO of iCAD. “Virtual colonoscopy with CAD is a
breakthrough technology that can make this potentially life-saving
test accessible to a greater number of people.”
Bichat Hospital in Paris has recently integrated the new VeraLook
technology for CTC, used with a Viatronix V3D workstation, into its
clinical practice. CTC employs cutting-edge, advanced visualization
technology to produce three-dimensional images that permit a
thorough and minimally invasive evaluation of the entire colorectal
structure and is an accurate alternative to colonoscopy to detect
polyps.
Since it requires no sedation, patients undergoing a CTC exam are
able to return to their normal activities immediately following the
examination.
VeraLook has been available in Europe since June 2009 under its
initial CE Mark and is pending FDA clearance in the US.