Nine trusts have joined as part of a new clinical trial of an artificial intelligence (AI) device which has the potential to save ‘many lives’ that could be lost to bowel cancer.
The COLO-DETECT study, which has now recruited its first 500 participants across nine trusts, trials the use of GI Genius – a type of AI designed to support clinicians in identifying polyps during colonoscopy examinations.
Integrating with existing colonoscopy equipment, the technology analyses images from endoscopies in real-time and highlights areas it thinks may contain polyps. The areas of concern can then be inspected more closely.
The £896,000 trial has been funded by Medtronic – a medical technology and solutions provider – and will aim to recruit more than 2,000 patients over the next year.
Dr Laura Neilson, Consultant Gastroenterologist, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “Bowel cancer is entirely treatable and, in many cases, curable, especially if it’s diagnosed early – which is why studies like COLO-DETECT are so important.
“COLO-DETECT is without question, world leading research and we are delighted to be the first hospital in the UK to recruit a patient into this trial and to be leading this pioneering research.”
The participating endoscopy units in the study include: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria NHS Healthcare Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.
In AI-related news, last month HTN covered the news of a new NHS SBS AI procurement framework and the NHS AI Lab blueprint for artificial intelligence validation.
