In a significant advancement for surgical oncology, Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional has become the first hospital in Tennessee to adopt a cutting-edge imaging technology that could revolutionize cancer surgery. The hospital has implemented the S-Series OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) system developed by Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. (TSXV: PINK, OTCQX: PYNKF), a medical technology company based in Toronto and Dallas.
The S-Series OCT system provides surgeons with real-time, high-resolution images of excised tissue at the cellular level during operations. This technology offers a substantial improvement over traditional imaging methods such as X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI, which lack the resolution to detect disease at such a microscopic scale.
Dr. Ana Wilson, a surgical oncologist at Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional, expressed enthusiasm about the new technology: “OCT technology enhances the level of care I am able to provide and has become a valuable tool in the operating room. It allows me to make patient-specific surgical decisions in real-time and potentially reduce the likelihood of my patients returning for a second surgery.”
The S-Series OCT uses light to create cross-sectional 3D images of tissue microstructures at 10 times the resolution of ultrasound and X-ray, and 100 times the power of MRI. This unprecedented level of detail allows surgeons to visualize margins down to 2 mm in ducts, vessels, and glands during the operation.
Sara Brien, Perimeter’s Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the significance of this implementation: “Being the first in Tennessee is another milestone in our continued expansion into new geographies nationwide. It also advances an important company goal of broadening access to our innovative technologies for margin visualization, in real-time, in the OR, to potentially improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.”
The adoption of this technology by Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional marks a notable step in Perimeter’s expansion strategy. The company’s S-Series OCT system is FDA-cleared and available across the United States.
Perimeter is also developing a next-generation device, the B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI, which incorporates artificial intelligence. This investigational device has been designated as a breakthrough device by the FDA and was recently evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial. Patient enrollment for this trial was completed in September 2024, with an expected FDA submission in 2025.
Suzanne Foster, Chairperson of Perimeter’s Board of Directors and a breast cancer survivor, emphasized the company’s mission: “Perimeter is working tirelessly to help surgeons provide the best possible care for their patients.”
It’s important to note that while the S-Series OCT has FDA clearance under a general indication, it has not been specifically evaluated by the FDA for use in breast tissue, breast cancer, other types of cancer, margin evaluation, or reducing re-excision rates.
As medical imaging technology continues to advance, innovations like the S-Series OCT system have the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes and patient care in oncology and beyond.
