How does Check-Cap's X-ray Radar technology work?
Check-Cap's imaging capsule contains a tiny device that transmits X-rays, with minimal radiation, to the intestinal wall and back. The analysis of distances creates 3D images of the colon's internal surface, enabling the detection of clinically significant polyps within the same range of accuracy as standard colonoscopy. Bowel cleansing is unnecessary, because X-ray technology, unlike optics, can "see through" colon content.
Patients continue their daily routine as the capsule travels painlessly through the colon, to be excreted naturally a day or two later. A physician analyzes the data that's been transmitted to a waist or wrist-worn receiver.
Why is Check-Cap likely to save millions of lives?
Colon cancer is the Western world's second largest cancer killer, despite being 90% curable with early detection. Colorectal cancer claims about 510,000 lives worldwide each year, with 50,000 of those deaths occurring in the US1. Most of these deaths are preventable. Though the number of colonoscopies performed has increased, many patients still avoid screening. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 42 million Americans over the age of 50 have not been screened, and it would take 10 years and 32,700 more GIs to screen the unscreened population with colonoscopies. Check-Cap will offer a patient-friendly, safe and accurate screening alternative to the many patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo a colonoscopy. Since greater numbers of people are expected to get screened, GIs will likely be performing more therapeutic colonoscopies to remove detected polyps, in lieu of primarily screening colonoscopies. This should allow the system to efficiently meet the needs of many more patients and eventually save many more lives.
1. Source: Screening and Surveillance for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer and Adenomatous Polyps, 2008: A Joint Guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology.
How will Check-Cap's accuracy compare to alternative screenings?
Check-Cap is expected to detect clinically significant polyps within the same range of accuracy as a standard colonoscopy. Often a challenge for current screening modalities, Check-Cap is expected to detect polyps behind colon folds as well. Since Check-Cap's x-rays, unlike optic alternatives, are transmitted a full 360-degree radius around the capsule, folds do not obstruct the capsule's view.
How can Check-Cap create an accurate image without colon preparation?
Check-Cap's imaging capsule contains a tiny device that transmits X-rays, with minimal radiation, to the intestinal wall and back. Bowel cleansing is unnecessary, since x-ray technology, unlike optics, can "see through" colon content. The analysis of distances creates 3D images of the colon's internal surfaces, enabling the detection of clinically significant polyps within the same range of accuracy as standard colonoscopy.
How can Check-Cap involve such minimal radiation, equivalent to a chest x-ray or to 1/300 of a CTC?
The Check-Cap capsule is designed to image only the colon interior through which it travels. Therefore, the amount of x-rays required is orders of magnitude lower than that of imaging systems operating from outside of the body. In addition, x-ray transmission only occurs while the capsule is in motion, limiting radiation exposure even more. As a result, total radiation exposure is minimal - similar to a chest-X-ray or 1/300 of a CTC (Virtual Colonoscopy) analysis. This radiation exposure estimate takes into account the capsule's possible 'back-and-forth' movement.
How is Check-Cap likely to affect the current colorectal cancer screening market?
Check-Cap will offer a patient-friendly and accurate screening alternative for the many patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo a colonoscopy. Since greater numbers of people are expected to get screened when Check-Cap becomes available, GIs will likely be performing more therapeutic colonoscopies to remove polyps, in lieu of primarily screening colonoscopies. This should allow the system to effectively meet the needs of many more patients and eventually save more lives.
How will the GI physician be involved?
A GI physician will oversee the Check-Cap process by prescribing the capsule, instructing the patient and supervising swallowing, as well as analyzing the data collected by the waist- or wrist-worn receiver. A trained GI physician will be able to fly-through the 3D reconstruction from any computer in only 7-10 minutes. Since the 3D visuals and navigation techniques are intuitive, experienced GI physicians will not require extensive additional training to use Check-Cap. After reviewing the internal 3D colon image, the GI physician will determine whether to refer the patient to a therapeutic colonoscopy for polyp removal, or simply to prescribe another Check-Cap screening in five years.
Is Check-Cap expected to detect polyps behind folds?
Yes. Since Check-Cap's x-rays, unlike optic alternatives, are transmitted a full 360-degree radius around the capsule, folds do not obstruct the capsule's view. As the capsule passes by a fold, its X-rays approach the fold from multiple angles, allowing Check-Cap to view and map every facet. The outcome is a clear 3D reconstructed image of all internal surfaces, including surfaces of folds facing any direction and the polyps "behind" them.
Is Check-Cap's test for everyone?
There are a few segments of the population who will not be able to use Check-Cap. A very small percentage of the population is unable to swallow any capsule and will therefore not be able to perform the Check-Cap screening test. There is also a small percentage of people who are known to have a relatively narrow colon, where the capsule may be retained -- these people will also be unable to perform the Check-Cap test. In addition, symptomatic patients are likely to be prescribed with a colonoscopy for their initial screening and not with Check-Cap.
