A Medical Device Daily

iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire), a provider of computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions for the early identification of cancer, reported an agreement with ACR Image Metrix (Philadelphia) to conduct a multi-reader clinical study of iCAD’s CT Colon product, for use with virtual colonoscopy. iCAD will work with ACR Image Metrix to develop and execute a clinical study to support FDA approval of CT Colon CAD.

ACR Image Metrix was launched by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to expand on more than 30 years of experience in clinical research in part through the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), developing trials that standardize the use of imaging technologies, image transmission and archiving.

“This partnership represents a major step forward in the development of our Colon CAD product,” said Ken Ferry, president/CEO of iCAD.

iCAD said that the results from recent trials showing the effectiveness of virtual colonoscopy as a screening procedure, coupled with recent legislation introduced to establish Medicare reimbursement for the procedure, are likely to increase the use of virtual colonoscopy.

Bruce Hillman, MD, director of scientific affairs for Image Metrix, said, “We feel that CT Colonography has the potential to drastically improve colon cancer screening and we look forward to exploring how CAD can impact and enhance this new option for detecting polyps.”

ACRIN is the NCI-funded clinical trials cooperative group established in 1999 to assess emerging imaging technologies. Its clinical trials have involved as few as 65 to more than 50,000 subjects and have handled over 50 million images.

iCAD offers a range of upgradeable CAD systems for the high-, mid- and low- volume mammography markets.