Dublin City University Licenses CAD Technology to UK Medical Imaging Company Biotronics3D Ltd

20 May 2010

Prof Paul Whelan

Dublin City University (DCU) is to license its breakthrough Computer Aided Detection (CAD) technology to Biotronics3D, a London-based company. This new CAD tool when combined with the Biotronics3D’s VC imaging solution creates an easy-to-use and cutting edge tool, focused on faster and more accurate cancer diagnosis. The UK company is active in the research, development and marketing of advanced, image-based medical diagnostic devices.

The solution, developed at DCU’s Centre for Image Processing and Analysis (CIPA), is designed to assist in the early detection and treatment of colon cancer. Computed Tomography Colongraphy (CTC) also known as Virtual Colonoscopy (VC) is an alternative to traditional endoscopic optical colonoscopy procedures. Using the VC approach, the patient undergoes a non-invasive CT scan of the colon from which a computer generated 3D image of the organ is displayed on a workstation. The CAD tool automatically identifies abnormalities on the colon surface and identifies these on the computer display to assist the clinician in diagnosis.

Both DCU and Biotronics3D plan to use this licensing agreement as a basis for further engagement. The agreement cements DCU’s reputation as a world leader in image processing and analysis.

The CAD technology is the result of an extensive multi-year research programme led by Professor Paul Whelan. The project involved a broad multidisciplinary research team at CIPA in DCU, and was supported by leading consultant clinicians in Ireland, Dr. Helen Fenlon and Dr. Padraic Mac Mathuna. Of the license agreement Professor Whelan stated, “We look forward to engaging with the Biotronics3D team to bring this DCU research to market.”

About Centre for Image Processing and Analysis (CIPA), DCU
The core expertise provided by CIPA (http://www.cipa.dcu.ie/) is in its ability to develop and design novel computer based solutions that will allow the automatic extraction of key image features with a view to a robust and reliable quantitative analysis, classification or tracking of such information. A key focus of CIPA is in the development of biomedical computer aided detection solutions.