Med-Tech Innovation News caught up with Giovanni Di Napoli, president, gastrointestinal, Medtronic, to discuss its new AI technology, GI genius, and PillCam.
Could you give an overview of Medtronic’s gastrointestinal unit? What types of technologies are offered?
Medtronic has a wide range of technology devoted to help improve the lives of patients suffering with gastrointestinal issues including capsule endoscopy utilising PillCam technologies, motility testing with Medtronic’s ManoScan manometry systems and the SmartPill testing system, radiofrequency ablation testing with Barrx radiofrequency ablation devices, endoscopic ultrasounds using SharkCore and the Beacon systems, as well as reflux testing through the Bravo and Digitrapper testing systems. Our latest innovation, GI Genius just received FDA clearance in the US.
Specifically, on PillCam. What is the technology and what is it indicated for?
PillCam capsule endoscopy has been used for more than 20 years as a minimally invasive, patient-friendly option for the detection of gastrointestinal diseases. PillCam SB is now in its third generation and has impacted more than 4 million patients worldwide. In particular, we are really excited to have initiated the new pilot program, PillCam SB3@HOME. The PillCam SB3@HOME program combines the PillCam technology your gastroenterologist trusts to visualise and diagnose disorders of the small bowel, with Amazon logistics to deliver patients the care they need at home. The most common indications for small bowel capsules are patients with iron deficiency anaemia, clinical suggestions that a patient might have Crohn’s, and patients with persistent abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, weight loss or lab tests that may indicate inflammatory bowel disease. 5 to 10% of patients have isolated disease beyond the reach of standard endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Given the pivot to telehealth during the pandemic, how does this align with the functionality and benefits of the Pillcam?
Traditional GI screenings and care delivery declined substantially during the pandemic. While staying home to reduce exposure rate is important, missing or delaying medical care can result in late diagnosis, delayed care, and negatively impact GI health. The PillCam SB3@HOME program provides an option for patients to receive the proper care of the PillCam technology from their homes if they would prefer to not go into the office for their procedure, whether that’s due to increased concerns of COVID-19 or simply out of convenience.
Why is Medtronic teaming up with Amazon around the Pillcam at home program and what are the goals of this collaboration?
Medtronic and Amazon have partnered to create PillCam SB3@HOME and to modernise clinical GI services with telemedicine. Using Amazon logistics has allowed us to provide an at-home option for accurate, timely and convenient GI diagnostic tests during COVID and beyond.
What is GI Genius and how does it tie to the PillCam?
GI Genius uses advanced AI to highlight the presence of precancerous lesions with a visual marker in real-time – serving as an ever vigilant second observer. The GI Genius supplements procedures with real-time image analysis of any colonoscope video and alerts clinicians to the presence of lesions — including those with flat (non-polypoid) morphology with a visual marker on-screen. The PillCam capsule endoscopy detects lesions in the small bowel that may be the source of obscure GI bleeding or indicate conditions such as Crohn’s disease and iron deficiency anaemia. The GI Genius and PillCam technology reflects Medtronic’s continued commitment to improving GI care and helps clinicians with earlier polyp detection and treatment, to reduce variability in patient outcomes including colorectal cancer prevention.
Anything else you would like to add?
149,500 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2021 and 52,980 people will die of the disease this year. These are unacceptable rates and deaths are preventable. By introducing GI Genius and additional at home solutions for colon evaluations, Medtronic hopes to help clinicians with earlier polyp detection and treatment, reduce variability in patient outcomes, and to help improve the quality of patients’ lives who suffer with GI issues.
