Medtech company partners with Aussie researchers in AI technology for GI cancer detection

MedTech & Diagnostics News: To develop a next-generation gastrointestinal (GI) flexible endomicroscope equipped with edge-artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology is collaborating with medtech company Optiscan Imaging. This innovation will provide clinicians with the ability to identify cancerous lesions in real time during endoscopic procedures.

Associate Professor Zongyuan Ge, leading the AI research component of the project alongside Dr Yasmeen George from the AIM for Health Lab at the Department of Data Science and AI, emphasised the transformative potential of the technology.

“The system will be powered by an AI engine to automatically detect and analyse abnormal cells,” Associate Professor Ge explained. The endomicroscope, which incorporates Optiscan’s miniature digital microscope, is designed to fit the biopsy channels of most endoscopes and deliver real-time subcellular images.

“It will allow clinicians to conduct real-time GI endomicroscopy examinations and initiate immediate medical intervention if abnormalities are detected, which will significantly reduce cancer screening times, increase the chances of successful treatment and improve the prognosis of patients,” he added.

Professor Ann Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, saying “Uniting advanced AI with industry capabilities in this way is inspiring. It is a demonstration of how industry innovation can join hands with research expertise to drive meaningful, practical improvements in patient health and reshape the future of cancer detection.”

Dr Camile Farah, CEO and Managing Director of Optiscan, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “This agreement between us and Monash University represents a significant step towards better diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases,” Dr Farah stated.

“This endomicroscope is also being specifically designed as a stand-alone medical imaging system agnostic to the commercial endoscope manufacturers.

“This will make adoption of our imaging platform easier for clinicians and hospitals already invested in their preferred endoscope system, while also providing flexibility to strike commercial arrangements with a wider range of endoscope manufacturers such as Olympus, Fuji, Pentax, Karl Storz, and Ambu.

He further acknowledged the deep-rooted connection between the company and the university, saying “It also represents another chapter in the longstanding relationship Optiscan has with Monash University, with our technology originally created at this prestigious university.”

The project is supported by a Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant from the Australian Department of Industry, Science, and Resources, awarded to Optiscan.

Monash University’s digital health researchers will collaborate with Optiscan’s partners, Design & Industry and the University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany, to advance the development of this pioneering GI endomicroscope.

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