Imaging System to Help Detect Cervical Precancer

The LUMA Cervical Imaging System from Medispectra is intended for use along with colposcopy, a high-magnification evaluation of the cervix for women who have recently had an abnormal Pap test. The firm’s study showed that the new device can detect additional cancer precursors missed by colposcopy. Of the 50 cases of precancer detected in the study, colposcopy caught 41 cases of cervical precancer and LUMA caught an additional 9 cases of cervical precancer that colposcopy had missed.

The system shines a light on the cervix and analyzes how different areas of the cervix respond to this light. The system assigns a score to tiny areas of the cervix and produces a color map that helps the doctor decide where to biopsy. The colors and patterns on the map help the doctor distinguish between healthy tissue and potentially diseased tissue.