Augere Medical has developed PolypAid™, an AI-driven video analysis system that enhances polyp detection during colonoscopy by providing real-time feedback on adenomas and sessile serrated lesions. This technology addresses the issue of missed polyps, which can lead to delayed cancer diagnoses, by improving detection rates and potentially reducing the long-term costs of colorectal cancer treatment.
Funding
$3.1M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and early detection through colonoscopy is critical for improving patient outcomes. However, endoscopists can miss a significant percentage of polyps during colonoscopies, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased healthcare costs. Variation in polyp detection rates among endoscopists highlights the need for tools to standardize and improve detection accuracy.
Solution
Augere Medical's PolypAid™ is an AI-driven computer-aided detection (CADe) system designed to enhance polyp detection during colonoscopy procedures. The system analyzes colonoscopy video in real-time, providing endoscopists with visual cues to highlight regions with characteristics consistent with adenomas, sessile serrated lesions, and hyperplastic polyps. By acting as a "second pair of eyes," PolypAid™ helps endoscopists identify polyps that might otherwise be missed due to human factors such as fatigue or momentary lapses in concentration. The technology is compatible with existing colonoscopy equipment from major vendors and is intended to be used as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, the clinician's assessment.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes gastroenterologists, endoscopists, and hospitals performing colonoscopies for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.
Features
- Real-time video analysis using deep-learning models trained on a database of over 2 million annotated colonoscopy image frames
- Visual highlighting of potential polyps, including adenomas, sessile serrated lesions, and hyperplastic polyps
- Compatibility with Olympus EVIS X1 CV-1500 and OLYMPUS EVIS EXERA III CV-190 endoscopic video processors, with plans for future compatibility with other vendors
- Integration with existing colonoscopy workflows, requiring minimal changes to standard procedures
- Compliance with EN-ISO 13485:2016 quality management system standards
- CE-marked as a Class IIb medical device software