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2006 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation Award Recipient: NeoGuide Systems, Inc.
Frost & Sullivan’s 2006 Technology Innovation Award in the field of colonoscopy goes to NeoGuide Systems, Inc. for developing a breakthrough endoscopy system that enhances a physician’s control of the colonoscope and addresses the problem of looping in colonoscopy.
Increased awareness about colon cancer and increased availability of treatment has led to a rapid increase in the number of colonoscopies performed. An estimated 14.2 million colonoscopies were performed in the United States during 2002 according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control. Looping is the most common problem that an endoscopist encounters while performing a conventional colonoscopy procedure. The endoscopist tries to advance the scope and control a flexible tip, while the rest of the shaft remains uncontrolled. On the other hand, the colon wall, which has multiple curves and floats within the abdomen, tends to get stretched when the endoscopist starts advancing the tip through the colon. In such a case further insertion of the scope leads to pushing of the colon and results in a large loop. Looping, as this phenomenon is called, causes pain to patients.
Los Gatos, Calif.-based NeoGuide has crafted an endoscopy system with enhanced functionality. Vis-à-vis conventional endoscopes, the shape of the insertion tube, not just the tip, is controlled. Therefore it does not require the application of force to the colon wall for advancing the scope. The system has been designed in such a way that it traverses the natural shape of the colon, based on a computerized map, thereby reducing potential for looping. The system incorporates a sophisticated sensor that determines the depth of the scope’s tip into the colon. The sensor is placed at the starting point of the colon (anus) and the scope passes through this sensor.
The angle of the tip is constantly recorded by the system. Tip depth measurements are combined with tip angle measurements to provide an advanced real-time three-dimensional map of the scope’s progress through the colon. Behind the steerable tip, the scope consists of multiple segments that are directed by the system to take the same angle as the tip at a given depth. This is accomplished via embedded motors within the system’s console motors that bend the multiple segments into appropriate angles as required by the user.
The system has already been tested in vitro in many simulated models and the company has completed a successful clinical study at Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The system also recently gained FDA 510(k) approval. In short the NeoGuide endoscopy system allows for shorter, more predictable procedure time, increased throughput in the gastrointestinal suite, reduced patient discomfort and improved clinical results. Users can visualize the system’s operational progress because of its ability to generate an advanced 3D map of the tip.
In conclusion, Frost & Sullivan’s Award for Technology Innovation recognizes NeoGuide Systems’ creation of an innovative, advanced endoscopy system that significantly reduces the problem of looping, which in turn reduces patient discomfort, procedural difficulty, procedural time, and physician fatigue associated with colonoscopy procedures. This technology could bring much needed succor to patients and physicians alike.
Award Description
Frost & Sullivan’s Technology Innovation Award is bestowed upon a company (or individual) that has carried out new research, which has resulted in innovation(s) that have or are expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. This award recognizes the quality and depth of a company’s research and development program as well as the vision and risk-taking that enabled it to undertake such an endeavor.
Research Methodology
To choose the award recipient, Frost & Sullivan’s analyst team tracks innovation in key hi-tech markets. The selection process includes primary participant interviews and extensive primary and secondary research via the bottom-up approach. The analyst team shortlists candidates on the basis of a set of qualitative and quantitative measurements. The analysts also consider the pace of research and technology innovation, and the significance or potential relevance of the innovation to the overall industry. The ultimate award recipient is chosen after a thorough evaluation of this research.
Measurement Criteria
In addition to the methodology described above, there are specific criteria used to determine the final rankings. The recipient of this award has excelled based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Significance of the innovation(s) in the industry, and across industries (if applicable)
- Potential of the products of innovation(s) to become industry standard(s)
- Competitive advantage of innovation vis-à-vis other related innovations
- Impact (or potential impact) of innovation(s) on company or industry mind share and/or company bottom line
- Breadth of intellectual property related to the innovation(s), that is, patents, scientific publications, papers in peer-reviewed journals.
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