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| Courtesy: 3imagescoroflot.com |
UE
Lifesciences developed this high-tech, portable and easy to use breast
examination device based on patented ceramic sensors invented at Philadephia’s Drexel
University, USA. The tactile sensors in Intelligent Beast Exam (iBreastExam )detect
subtle variations in stiffness and tissue compression of the breast tissue.
- Bilateral breast exam
within 5 minutes (with results at the point-of-care)
- Accuracy to detect clinically
relevant breast lesions higher than 85%
- Usable by any health-worker or
doctor. No pain, No radiation.
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| courtesy : http://www.ibreastexam.com/ |
Mihir Shah,
Founder and CEO, UE LifeSciences is a Computer Engineer from Drexel University.
His interest was aroused in this field because of a close family member
suffering from Breast Cancer. It also made him aware of the disparities
regarding access to healthcare facilities in developed and developing world. [i]
It has
offices both in India and USA. The device can be used by community workers and
paramedics in rural and low resource settings. It is compact, low cost, pain
free and easy to operate. It can connect with smart phone app, which displays
the results simultaneously as the procedure is performed.
In
2013, Breast cancer claimed approximately 70,000 lives in India which was 43%
increase in 5 years. Research are projecting an addition of approximately
750,000 new breast cancer cases by 2020. India also has shortage of radiologists,
high cost of mammograms and cultural taboos related to breast health delaying
detection of breast cancer in its early stage. In west more than ¾ patients are
diagnosed in early stages increasing longevity and quality of life.
Indian
Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology (IJGO) published a study by
Somashekhar SP et al in which the ibreastExam device outperformed physician
performing manual breast examination by 19% because it also picked up
non-palpable lesions. The study reported high Specificity (94 %) ,NPV
(98 %) Sensitivity (84%) and PPV 94%.
The authors
concluded "iBreastExam can be a promising tool to provide clinically
effective and standardized breast examinations in low-resource settings to
detect breast lesions at early stages.
The device
can also be an effective screening tool for younger women with dense breasts.”[ii]
The device
is currently available in big cities Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. It
received a recent approval form National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC)
of India.
UE
LifeSciences’ in collaboration with non-profits have already administered 20,000
exams in rural Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi.
The cost of
a single screening in private set up is Rs. 700-1000 and in Non-Profit units is Rs. 100. They are trying to bring down the cost to under Rs.100 in private set up
also.
iBreastExam
received FDA 510k clearance as a "Breast Lesion Documentation System"
in April 2015 and is commercially available in USA and India since October
2015.
Two Promotional Video by UE LifeSciences regarding iBreastExam.
