In a move poised to transform cancer diagnostics, the NHS has announced it is piloting an innovative iPhone-based device to help detect or rule out throat cancer more swiftly.
What Device?
Developed by Endoscope-i Ltd, a West Midlands-based medical technology company, the device, called the endoscope-i adapter, connects over the iPhone’s rear camera lens, securely aligning the endoscope with the iPhone’s main camera for high-definition imaging. This setup allows the iPhone to capture high-definition images from any endoscope with a 32mm eyepiece.
Converts iPhone to Diagnostic Tool
Equipped with the 32mm lens adapter and supported by a custom-built app, this ground-breaking technology converts an iPhone into a high-definition diagnostic tool for healthcare practitioners, offering a potentially life-saving option for patients. Initial trials in the West Midlands have already demonstrated the device’s promise, delivering quicker diagnoses and freeing up vital NHS resources to focus on those most in need.
Rapid Turnaround Enabled
This new adapter/app/iPhone system allows nurses to conduct endoscopic examinations directly from an iPhone, with live HD footage instantly available for specialist review via a secure data cloud. From there, consultants can assess the video for any cancerous indicators and promptly report back to the patient, enabling results to be delivered within hours rather than weeks. This rapid turnaround has been welcomed by both patients and healthcare professionals for its potential to reduce stress and improve early intervention rates.
A Milestone for Early Detection
Speaking about the importance of early detection, Dr Cally Palmer, NHS England’s National Cancer Director, highlighted the impact of the technology: “Detecting cancer early is key to providing treatment as soon as possible, giving patients the best chance of survival. For those needing tests to investigate suspected cancer, it can be an extremely worrying time. Being able to rule out the disease sooner can make a huge difference for patients and their families.”
Dr Palmer added that while NHS staff are treating record numbers of cancer patients, the need for swift diagnosis remains essential, particularly in light of an increasing number of referrals. “By adopting innovations like this iPhone device, we can improve both the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, providing a system that’s convenient and less invasive for patients.”
Transforming Patient Experience
In initial tests at North Midlands University Hospitals NHS Trust, the iPhone device was trialled with patients identified as low-risk for cancer. Results from these trials are reported to have been encouraging, with over 1,800 patients receiving reassurance they were cancer-free in just a few days following their exams.
No Cancers Missed
Crucially, the NHS pilot has so far reported that none of the patients screened by the device has had their cancers missed, with test results being processed within an average of 23 hours. Of those categorised as low-risk, around one in a hundred was subsequently found to have cancer, underscoring the device’s accuracy in screening high volumes of cases effectively.
No Waiting for Weeks
Janet Hennessy, 76, one of the trial patients from Stoke-on-Trent, praised the iPhone device for its speed and convenience. “I think the app is absolutely brilliant. When you have a procedure done and then wait weeks for results, it’s always on your mind. With this, you get answers so much quicker. It gives such peace of mind,” she said, noting the efficiency and care shown by NHS staff during her experience.
Addressing Rising Demand for Cancer Screening
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS has seen a surge in urgent cancer referrals, with little change in the total number of diagnosed cases. This trend has put pressure on diagnostic services, particularly for head and neck cancers, which are notoriously challenging to detect early. For example, according to recent statistics, the NHS receives around 250,000 urgent referrals annually for suspected head and neck cancer, with only 5 per cent (around 12,500 patients) eventually being diagnosed with cancer. This new device promises to streamline the process, reducing waiting times for thousands of patients and allowing healthcare staff to focus on those most in need.
How Innovation and Research Can Tackle Waiting Lists
Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health, said, “This technology is a shining example of how innovation and research can tackle waiting lists, improve patient experience, and speed up diagnosis. By catching cancer earlier and treating it faster, we can ensure more people survive this devastating disease.”
Funding for the System
The NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call, which funds pioneering diagnostic and treatment solutions, provided Endoscope-i Ltd with a share of £25 million to develop this device. As part of the broader NHS 10-Year Health Plan, the project aligns with efforts to digitise healthcare services, reduce demand on hospitals, and provide community-based care that meets patients closer to home.
Other Healthcare Apps Enhancing Patient Diagnostics
The iPhone-based throat cancer device is part of what appears to be a broader trend towards mobile health technology, with a range of other apps and digital tools emerging to facilitate early detection and patient empowerment. Other notable examples making strides in healthcare include:
– SkinVision. Designed to aid early skin cancer detection, the SkinVision app allows users to take high-resolution images of moles or lesions that they find concerning. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the app analyses the images for any signs of potential skin cancer and provides an immediate risk assessment. SkinVision claims to have an accuracy rate of over 95 per cent for identifying suspicious skin conditions and is endorsed by several European health organisations.
– Babylon Health. This system offers users the opportunity to consult with GPs through an AI-powered app that evaluates symptoms and provides potential diagnoses or further guidance. With access to live video consultations, patients can discuss symptoms, receive advice, and be referred for further tests if necessary, all from their mobile phone. The app has become particularly popular for addressing a wide range of concerns, including mental health and chronic illness management.
– Heart Monitor by KardiaMobile. Designed for people with heart conditions, KardiaMobile’s Heart Monitor app works with a small external device that patients place their fingers on to record a 30-second ECG. The app provides instant analysis of heart rhythms and detects signs of atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition that can increase the risk of stroke. Users can easily share their ECG results with healthcare providers, facilitating a proactive approach to cardiovascular health.
Each of these apps, like the NHS’s new iPhone device for throat cancer screening, empowers patients by providing quick, accessible, and often less invasive diagnostic options. Such innovations can help alleviate the strain on health services, offering peace of mind to patients while enabling early detection of serious health issues.
A Vision for the Future of Diagnostics
As the NHS continues its partnership with the government to develop the 10-Year Health Plan, innovations like the iPhone device and other healthcare apps offer a glimpse into a future where technology supports preventative care. By equipping the NHS with cutting-edge tools, the aim is to shift from analogue to digital, from hospital to community-based care, and ultimately from reactive to preventative healthcare.
Ajith George, consultant head and neck surgeon at University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust, sees this new pathway as a major improvement, saying: “This rapid referral service is a radical change we have long needed. With cancer referral rates increasing exponentially while diagnosis rates stay the same, it’s vital to focus on those who truly need treatment”.
What Does This Mean for Your Business?
The NHS’s adoption of the endoscope-i device could mark a transformative step towards more accessible, efficient, and patient-centred diagnostics in the fight against cancer. By allowing healthcare practitioners to deliver rapid throat cancer screenings from an iPhone, this technology addresses a critical demand for quicker diagnostics, especially amid rising cancer referrals and strained resources. The encouraging trial results demonstrate that this system has the potential to alleviate waiting times and streamline focus on patients with confirmed cancer, thereby effectively balancing NHS resources in a way that benefits both healthcare providers and patients alike.
For patients, this innovation offers the ability to obtain results within hours instead of weeks, thereby reducing stress and providing peace of mind, particularly for those who are ultimately found to be cancer-free. The technology’s seamless integration of hardware and software to deliver high-definition imagery accessible by specialists is a prime example of how mobile technology can be harnessed to improve patient outcomes. Also, as trials have shown, this device’s accuracy in identifying cases in need of further investigation ensures that fewer cancers are overlooked, aligning with the NHS’s mission to offer the best possible care.
The success of the endoscope-i app highlights the growing demand for mobile diagnostic tools and shows that collaboration between healthcare providers and technology developers can result in real-world applications that are both life-changing and commercially viable. This success story will likely inspire app developers to explore new, medically validated tools for early diagnosis and remote monitoring, further expanding the role of mobile technology in healthcare.
The endoscope-i device is part of a larger vision in the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan, aiming to shift from hospital-based to community-based care, and from reactive to preventative health management. As the NHS invests in digital-first solutions, we may witness an ongoing shift towards healthcare that is more responsive to patient needs, less reliant on physical facilities, and ultimately, more sustainable.
Incorporating such advanced diagnostics technology into everyday NHS practice could become a defining feature of modern healthcare. As always, this will mean more reliance on data (and data security) as a result.