Medtronic Wins VA Contract to Install AI-Powered End

Medtronic has announced a three-year contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to install nearly 100 additional GI Genius endoscopy units, building on a 2022 agreement that initially covered 115 units. GI Genius uses artificial intelligence to analyze colonoscopy images in real time, flagging potential polyps for improved detection of adenomas, which are benign growths that can lead to cancer. This technology has been validated through clinical trials, including a randomized study that showed GI Genius increased adenoma detection rates to 54.8%, compared to 40.4% with traditional methods. Since its FDA authorization in 2021, Medtronic has expanded its work with the VA, now covering over 360 units at more than 140 facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

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The VA's investment underscores its commitment to improving outcomes in colorectal cancer detection, as the department conducts approximately 250,000 colonoscopies annually and diagnoses around 4,000 cases of colon cancer each year. The higher detection rates enabled by GI Genius are critical, as research links increased adenoma detection to significantly reduced risks of colorectal cancer and mortality. This partnership also highlights Medtronic’s broader efforts to integrate AI into healthcare, evidenced by its recent study using AI to identify patients eligible for advanced interventions like valve replacement procedures.