Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer deaths globally.1 With increasing cases among people under 502, it’s more important than ever to prioritize screening and early detection.
This is where the GI Genius™ intelligent endoscopy system steps in, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize early detection.
A wake-up call for prevention
Despite the urgent need for regular CRC screening, misconceptions about age and gender persist. According to a recent Medtronic-sponsored survey of 1,000 U.S. female adults 18 and older, 1 in 3 women (30%) mistakenly believe colonoscopies aren’t recommended until age 50 or older3, despite the recommended screening age now being 45.
Dr. Austin Chiang, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, Endoscopy, Medtronic
Dr. Austin Chiang, chief medical officer of Medtronic’s Endoscopy Operating Unit, explains: “It’s concerning to see these misconceptions. CRC is the second deadliest cancer worldwide and affects men and women equally. Early detection is critical, which is why it’s so important to understand the risks and get screened.”
Introducing the GI Genius™ system
The GI Genius™ system acts like a second set of eyes for doctors. It uses advanced AI software to highlight suspected polyps in real-time during a colonoscopy, helping gastroenterologists detect lesions they might otherwise miss.4
Ken Washington, Ph.D.
SVP, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Medtronic
Ken Washington, senior vice president and chief technology and innovation officer at Medtronic, explains: “Imagine teaching a child to recognize different types of fruit. You show them apples, bananas, oranges, and over time, they learn to identify each correctly. Our AI algorithm learns similarly, recognizing patterns in over 13 million images to identify polyps with high precision.”
How the GI Genius™ system works
A colonoscopy with the GI Genius™ system begins like any other. The colonoscope captures images inside the colon, and the GI Genius™ system instantly analyzes each frame to identify suspected abnormalities like polyps or adenomas. When a suspected lesion is detected, it’s surrounded by a green box on the screen, alerting the doctor to assess the detection. The results are remarkable:
- Increased detection: The GI Genius™ system increases adenoma detection rates by 14.4%.5
- Reduced miss rate: Miss rates for adenomas and polyps drop by up to 50%.6
- High precision: Less than 1% false positives.7
Dr. Chiang likens the GI Genius™ system to “spell-check,” saying, “It’s like having an extra set of eyes, empowering doctors to detect and address even the most subtle unwanted growths.”
A brighter future with AI
The future of preventative healthcare is bright, and AI plays a pivotal role in early detection.
“We believe in the transformative power of AI,” Washington said. “The GI Genius™ system empowers doctors to deliver equitable and unbiased healthcare, reducing variability and improving patient outcomes.”
Medtronic’s commitment to advancing AI continues with the launch of ColonPRO™ software, its fourth software update in just three years, which improves polyp detection and paves the way for expanding AI’s capabilities beyond colorectal cancer screening.8
So, if you’re 45 or older, don’t wait. Get screened. Talk to your doctor about how a colonoscopy with the GI Genius™ system can help you stay one step ahead of colorectal cancer. Because when it comes to your health, that’s not just smart. It’s Genius.
GI Genius is an adjunct to colonoscopy procedures and is not intended to replace clinical decision-making.
To learn more, visit Medtronic.com/Genius
References
- Bray, F, Ferlay, J et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2018: GLOBCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. 2018. CA Cancer J Clin.; 68:394-424
- American Cancer Society: Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures:
https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-figures.html - Pulse Survey. Data on File.
- Wallace, M., Sharma, P., Bhandari, P., East, J., Antonelli, G., Hassan, C. et al. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Miss Rate of Colorectal Neoplasia. Gastroenterology; 163;1; P295-304.E5 July 2022.
- Repici A, Badalamenti M, Maselli R, et al. Efficacy of real-time computer-aided detection of colorectal neoplasia in a randomized trial. Gastroenterology. 2020; 159:512–520.e7.
- Wallace MB, Sharma P, Bhandari P, et al. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Miss Rate of Colorectal Neoplasia. Gastroenterology. 2022 Mar 11:S0016-5085(22)00238-4. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.03.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35304117.
- Hassan, C. Wallace, M., Sharma, P. et al. New intelligence system: first validation study versus experienced endoscopists for colorectal polyp detection. Gut. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319914
- https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/medtronic-and-nvidia-collaborate-to-build-ai-platform-for-medical-devices. Published March 21, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.
