Periodic Reporting for period 1 - rMSI (Real-time multi-spectral imaging for accurate detection of cancerous tissue in endoscopic surgery)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2023-09-30
In the realm of endoscopic surgeries, surgeons often grapple with the arduous task of distinguishing between various types of tissues. This challenge stems from the inherent limitations of visual contrast and the absence of tactile feedback. The prevailing imaging solutions encounter the following formidable hurdles:
Specialization Dilemma. Presently, healthcare institutions employ an array of distinct devices tailored for specific endoscopic visualization purposes. These endoscopy systems are meticulously crafted for singular techniques, offering only a solitary visualization capability each. Consequently, the availability of advanced imaging tools is remarkably constrained, severely limiting the wealth of information at a surgeon's disposal. To secure access to these advanced endoscopy systems, hospitals are compelled to acquire a multitude of devices, which invariably translates to elevated expenditure on both procurement and maintenance. This mounting financial burden not only inflates capital costs but also escalates operating expenses. Regrettably, the tight budgets of healthcare facilities hinder their ability to adopt and implement advanced visualization methods.
Precision is paramount in cystoscopies for bladder cancer, yet the grim reality persists - false negative rates can soar to a staggering 20%. In practical terms, this means that surgeons often fail to detect cancerous tissue, thereby setting the stage for cancer recurrence. In the realm of bladder cancer alone, a daunting 300,000 patients annually grapple with the burden of relapses in the European Union and the United States, with an equally concerning 150,000 enduring the harrowing progression of the disease.
The repercussions are far-reaching, as they extend beyond health concerns, significantly impacting both longevity and the overall quality of life. The ripple effect of repeated hospital visits and surgical interventions adds a substantial economic strain on patients and/or healthcare systems.
Yet, there is hope. Reducing cancer recurrence and progression rates through endoscopic surgery holds the promise of extending lives, enhancing the quality of life, and yielding substantial economic benefits. This translates to fewer hospital visits, a reduced need for surgeries, and a brighter future for patients.
Contrast. Present-day endoscopic systems grapple with a fundamental constraint: the inability to image using multiple contrast agents in parallel. This limitation compels surgeons to make a crucial choice, selecting just one imaging approach before the operation commences. However, the emergence of a variety of contrast solutions, some freshly approved by the FDA and others awaiting approval, unlocks a realm of unparalleled potential for achieving successful treatments.
Challenging Scan Times. Elevating accuracy often comes at a cost - an extended endoscopic scan time. This delay hinders surgeons from making swift, informed decisions, rendering existing systems inadequate for real-time imaging.
Thericon’s rMSI endoscopy system offers advanced performance to the surgeons, better treatment to the patients, and reduced costs to hospitals and healthcare systems.
Specialization Dilemma. Presently, healthcare institutions employ an array of distinct devices tailored for specific endoscopic visualization purposes. These endoscopy systems are meticulously crafted for singular techniques, offering only a solitary visualization capability each. Consequently, the availability of advanced imaging tools is remarkably constrained, severely limiting the wealth of information at a surgeon's disposal. To secure access to these advanced endoscopy systems, hospitals are compelled to acquire a multitude of devices, which invariably translates to elevated expenditure on both procurement and maintenance. This mounting financial burden not only inflates capital costs but also escalates operating expenses. Regrettably, the tight budgets of healthcare facilities hinder their ability to adopt and implement advanced visualization methods.
Precision is paramount in cystoscopies for bladder cancer, yet the grim reality persists - false negative rates can soar to a staggering 20%. In practical terms, this means that surgeons often fail to detect cancerous tissue, thereby setting the stage for cancer recurrence. In the realm of bladder cancer alone, a daunting 300,000 patients annually grapple with the burden of relapses in the European Union and the United States, with an equally concerning 150,000 enduring the harrowing progression of the disease.
The repercussions are far-reaching, as they extend beyond health concerns, significantly impacting both longevity and the overall quality of life. The ripple effect of repeated hospital visits and surgical interventions adds a substantial economic strain on patients and/or healthcare systems.
Yet, there is hope. Reducing cancer recurrence and progression rates through endoscopic surgery holds the promise of extending lives, enhancing the quality of life, and yielding substantial economic benefits. This translates to fewer hospital visits, a reduced need for surgeries, and a brighter future for patients.
Contrast. Present-day endoscopic systems grapple with a fundamental constraint: the inability to image using multiple contrast agents in parallel. This limitation compels surgeons to make a crucial choice, selecting just one imaging approach before the operation commences. However, the emergence of a variety of contrast solutions, some freshly approved by the FDA and others awaiting approval, unlocks a realm of unparalleled potential for achieving successful treatments.
Challenging Scan Times. Elevating accuracy often comes at a cost - an extended endoscopic scan time. This delay hinders surgeons from making swift, informed decisions, rendering existing systems inadequate for real-time imaging.
Thericon’s rMSI endoscopy system offers advanced performance to the surgeons, better treatment to the patients, and reduced costs to hospitals and healthcare systems.
Thericon develops a novel imaging technology for real-time detection and analysis of cancer tissue during endoscopic surgeries. The company’s patent protected real-time multispectral imaging (rMSI) technology allows, for the first time, multi-parametric imaging using a single device, that simultaneously visualizes anatomical, functional, and pathological features of tissue. This wealt of information can help surgeons detect abnormalities with greater ease, enabling more effective removal of pathological tissue during keyhole surgeries.
The solution consists of a multispectral light source, a camera with two sensors, a control unit, and a monitor for displaying real-time images. The platform is compatible with multiple camera architectures, virtually all fluorescent contrast agents and can also be adapted to provide 3D imaging. Thericon’s solution not only streamlines the operational aspects for hospitals but also significantly reduces costs related to both procurement and maintenance. This cost efficiency empowers healthcare facilities to extend advanced imaging capabilities to a broader spectrum of patients, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes.
Product features include, but are not limited to, high quality image (4K resolution, high dynamic range), high sensitivity, visualization of multiple fluorescence contrast agents - simultaneously without switching, and advanced imaging modes such as enhanced vascular contrast and multiparametric imaging. The design elements included for the achievement of the features include the arrangement of the optical elements, the unique design of the spectral filters, the choice of sensors, the mechanical design, the electronics, image processing pipeline and software.
The solution consists of a multispectral light source, a camera with two sensors, a control unit, and a monitor for displaying real-time images. The platform is compatible with multiple camera architectures, virtually all fluorescent contrast agents and can also be adapted to provide 3D imaging. Thericon’s solution not only streamlines the operational aspects for hospitals but also significantly reduces costs related to both procurement and maintenance. This cost efficiency empowers healthcare facilities to extend advanced imaging capabilities to a broader spectrum of patients, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes.
Product features include, but are not limited to, high quality image (4K resolution, high dynamic range), high sensitivity, visualization of multiple fluorescence contrast agents - simultaneously without switching, and advanced imaging modes such as enhanced vascular contrast and multiparametric imaging. The design elements included for the achievement of the features include the arrangement of the optical elements, the unique design of the spectral filters, the choice of sensors, the mechanical design, the electronics, image processing pipeline and software.
Key results come with the clinical evaluation, which is currently in the phase of preparation. The important results are related to the performance of the system, and the clinical benefit. In bladder cancer, we expect to minimize false negatives when identifying cancerous tissue, thereby reducing cancer recurrence rates by 20%, and reducing bladder cancer treatment costs by 7%. Finally, we expect the further research and future improvements to be boosted by the use of AI algorithms, to be trained with data from Post Market Clinical Follow-up data.
Furthermore, from the hospital/healthcare point of view, we expect the CAPEX and OPEX associated with our multi-parametric imaging device to compare favourably with the purchase and maintenance of multiple machines that only provide one or two imaging modes each.
Furthermore, from the hospital/healthcare point of view, we expect the CAPEX and OPEX associated with our multi-parametric imaging device to compare favourably with the purchase and maintenance of multiple machines that only provide one or two imaging modes each.