A Breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence Technology in Trial for Detecting Polyps


Polyp Detection in Real-time

“The service is extremely fast and can identify polyps in real-time and is like a second pair of eyes” Dr. Scholl

Raleigh Endoscopy Center has teamed up with Avesha to trial the world’s first real-time polyp detection service at their location in Cary, NC. Avesha has deployed the first “edge”-cloud based AI inferencing system. This is a real breakthrough in low latency real-time AI-feedback.

The clinical trial is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) specifically designed for the colon to assist the doctor in identifying polyps in real-time. Avesha has built a concurrent multi-model inferencing platform that has been trained with over 100,000 images to help detect various types of polyps and colon features. Dr. Shannon Scholl has been using the service for the past few months in over 200 procedures. “The service is extremely fast and can identify polyps in real-time and is like a second pair of eyes”. The Avesha Platform is very fast and scalable because AI-based Deep Learning is done at an edge-cloud with amazingly fast processing power utilizing multiple GPUs deployed at a local data center in Durham. The latency for a detection is less than 30ms.    

In the US alone there are over 20 million colonoscopies done per year and there is a need to improve efficiencies and accuracy. Looking into the future, AI-assisted colonoscopy is a promising way to achieve these goals using these powerful new tools. Robert Beebe who spent 25 years Duke University GI Endoscopy Unit as an Operations Manager and Technical Assistant and now the VP Operations at Avesha states: “I have participated in tens of thousands of procedures during my career and have seen all the latest technology and advancements but AI from an image detection and workflow tool will help improve efficiency”.

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 years and continuing until age 75 years. Regular colorectal cancer screening is important for preventing new colorectal cancers from developing as well as for identifying existing colorectal cancers early – which can improve survival.

AMSURG, an Envision Healthcare Solution and partner with Raleigh Endoscopy Center, performs nearly 1 million colonoscopies a year and is committed to helping patients develop appropriate care plans to prevent and treat colorectal cancer. “We are excited to be involved in bringing cutting edge technologies like AI in our standard of care to our patients” according to Eric Albrecht, Divisional VP of AMSURG. To learn more about colorectal cancer and find a gastroenterologist, visit http://www.stopcoloncancernow.com.

Raleigh Endoscopy Center offers outpatient endoscopic facilities specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Our team of 23 gastroenterologists serves the greater Triangle area with three convenient locations in Raleigh, North Raleigh and Cary. Patients are frequently seen for colorectal cancer screening and problems involving the digestive tract. From the waiting room to the recovery room, we want patients and their families to feel at ease during each visit. To make an appointment, visit our website at http://www.RaleighEndoscopy.com or call (919) 791-2060.

Avesha is the next big idea by serial tech entrepreneurs who have a history of inventing game changing technology. They founded Arrowpoint Networks in the late 90’s for creating a scalable network load balancing technology and sold the company for $6 Billion to Cisco. Then, in 2007 they founded Azuki Systems developing secure video encryption and delivery to mobile devices. They launched streaming services such as HBO Go and Showtime Anytime among others and sold the company to Ericsson. Avesha is the convergence of several newly emerging technologies including edge networking, live streaming and AI to deliver a service for real-time AI video inferencing and workflow automation. Please visit our website at http://www.aveshasystems.com.

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