Esophageal Cancer Prevention

WATS3D Technology Makes It Possible

The combination of improved sampling by physicians and next-generation computer analysis using artificial intelligence is helping gastroenterologists make esophageal cancer preventable.

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Watch a WATS3D patient story that aired on the Lifetime Television Network.

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WATS3D , a breakthrough endoscopic tissue acquisition procedure, can help your doctor detect precancerous cells so they can be removed before they can turn into esophageal cancer.

Overview

During a minimally invasive procedure known as an upper endoscopy or EGD, your doctor will use a thin scope to look inside the upper digestive tract, and if necessary, use small forceps to take tissue samples to determine if there are any unhealthy precancer cells present.


The specially designed WATS3D brush instrument is added to this procedure in order to collect a more comprehensive tissue sample from a much broader area of the esophagus at risk for cancer.



This unique WATS3D specimen is then sent to the laboratory for advanced computer analysis that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and proprietary 3D imaging to help pathologists reliably identify precancer cells.

               Wats3D Sweap color dots and small medical bruch


This powerful combination of WATS3D sampling and AI computer analysis has been shown to significantly increase the detection rate of Barrett’s esophagus and precancer over traditional forceps biopsies alone.

How WATS3D Works

The Process That Powers Prevention

PHYSICIAN PROCEDURE
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Better Sampling

Special brush collects more tissue to test

WATS3D obtains a tissue sample from a much larger surface area of the esophagus compared to traditional forceps biopsies, which samples less tissue and as a result, can miss the detection of precancer cell.

ADVANCED LABORATORY ANALYSIS
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Artificial Intelligence

Like finding a needle in a haystack

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3D Imaging

Unique information-rich, 3D-view of tissue

A series of powerful computers, identify and rank possible precancer cells for a more accurate diagnosis.



Advanced 3D imaging technology makes it possible for pathologists to more reliably make a diagnosis of precancer.

Why Is WATS3D Now Used Routinely?

For the past 30 years, the standard of care was to endoscopically screen patients with a precancerous condition termed Barrett's esophagus using a random biopsy technique that is fraught with sampling error.

Since precancerous cells are very difficult to detect and not seen by the naked eye at endoscopy, they are easy to miss.

The addition of WATS3D advanced technology allows physicians to obtain a more comprehensive tissue sample, and to have it analyzed more reliably so that it can be removed before it converts into cancer.

WATS3D is now included in the clinical guidelines of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) for physicians who are examining patients for Barrett’s esophagus, or monitoring them for the development of precancer over the long term.

 

 

The Innovation Behind Prevention

Using Proven Preventative Testing Models
  • Pap smear is used to screen for precancer in the cervix, where it is known  to help prevent cervical cancer

  • Colonoscopy is used to screen for precancerous polyps in the colon in order to help prevent colon cancer

  • The addition of WATS3D to upper endoscopy is used to more reliably detect precancer in the esophagus in order to prevent esophageal cancer.

In all of these diagnostic screenings, once the still-harmless cells are identified, they can typically be removed so the patient doesn’t develop cancer.

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