Medical City Dallas Hospital has started using Perimeter Medical Imaging AI’s (OTCQX: PYNKF) S-Series OCT technology in its operating rooms, marking a new chapter in surgical imaging for the 899-bed hospital. The adoption comes after the hospital participated in a pivotal clinical trial for Perimeter’s next-generation device, which integrates artificial intelligence with optical coherence tomography (OCT) for breast-conserving surgeries.
Perimeter Medical, based in Toronto and Dallas, is focused on transforming cancer surgery with advanced imaging solutions. Their S-Series OCT system, cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021, provides surgeons with real-time, high-resolution images of excised tissue at the cellular level. Unlike traditional imaging methods like X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound, OCT can visualize features as small as 2 millimeters, including blood vessels, ducts, and glands. This level of detail is especially valuable when surgeons are trying to identify clear margins during tumor removal procedures.
Medical City Dallas Hospital, recognized for its innovative surgical teams, is the latest in a growing list of U.S. hospitals to bring this technology into its operating rooms. The hospital’s involvement in the pivotal trial for Perimeter’s upcoming B-Series device, which adds AI-powered analysis to the OCT platform, gave its surgeons early exposure to the technology’s potential.
The decision by Medical City Dallas to adopt the S-Series OCT follows its participation in a randomized controlled trial of Perimeter’s investigational B-Series device. That device is currently under review by the FDA for use in breast-conserving surgeries. The B-Series aims to help surgeons quickly and accurately assess whether they have removed all cancerous tissue, potentially reducing the need for repeat surgeries.
Dr. DiPasquale and Dr. Anderson, surgeons at Medical City Dallas, were among those who used the B-Series device during the trial. Their experience contributed to the ongoing development of Perimeter’s technology. According to Perimeter CEO Adrian Mendes, working with the Medical City Dallas team has been invaluable in refining the next-generation product. Now, with the S-Series OCT in place, the hospital’s surgeons can access high-resolution, real-time imaging to help guide their decisions in the operating room.
OCT imaging is not new to medicine, but its application in surgery is still evolving. The technology works by using light waves to create cross-sectional images of tissue, similar to how ultrasound uses sound waves. With a resolution down to 2 millimeters, OCT can reveal structures that are invisible to other imaging techniques. For surgeons, this means a better chance of identifying healthy versus diseased tissue in real time.
The S-Series OCT is FDA-cleared for general tissue imaging, but it is important to note that it has not been specifically evaluated or cleared for breast tissue, cancer, or margin evaluation. Its use in these areas is considered investigational, and the safety and effectiveness for those purposes have not been established.
Perimeter’s next-generation B-Series device, which incorporates AI to assist with image interpretation, is still under FDA review. The company received a grant of up to $7.4 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to support its clinical development. If approved, the B-Series could further enhance the ability of surgeons to make real-time decisions during cancer surgeries, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the number of repeat procedures needed.
Medical City Dallas Hospital’s adoption of the S-Series OCT represents a meaningful step in bringing advanced imaging directly into the operating room. As more hospitals evaluate and implement this technology, the landscape of surgical oncology may continue to shift toward faster, more precise, and less invasive procedures.
