Press Release - World Class Endoscopy Imaging Arrives At The
London Clinic
6 December 2006
Patients at The London Clinic are the first in the UK to have
access to a new state-of-the-art endoscopy imaging system – The
Lucera Spectrum, which is able to detect the onset of cancer at a
much earlier stage.
The London Clinic is currently the only hospital in the UK, in both
the public and private health sectors, to have the Olympus
video-imaging system, which aids the early detection of minute
cancerous lesions and is used pre-operatively to accurately
diagnose diseased areas.
Medical experts believe that the system’s effectiveness is possible
as a result of its compatibility with High Definition Television
(HDTV) and two new cutting-edge technologies – Narrow Band Imaging
(NBI) and Auto Fluorescence Imaging (AFI).
Using only part of the visible spectrum of light, NBI is able to
clearly depict the distribution of blood vessels in the superficial
layer lining the gut. AFI makes use of a newly developed high
sensitivity chip incorporated in the endoscope which enables
specalist endoscopists to visualise subtle differences in the
lining of the gut that previously would not have been
possible.
Dr Peter Fairclough, consultant gastrointestinal endoscopist at The
London Clinic, says: "Patients will benefit greatly because we are
now able to diagnose cancers and premalignant conditions at an
earlier stage, therefore increasing the chances of survival. The
system is particularly valuable to those having screening
examinations, with a family history of cancer – particularly of the
colon, and those requiring the removal of premalignant and
malignant lesions."
"The use of HDTV in the Lucera Spectrum system raises the standards
of quality in the detail of endoscopic images to a whole new level.
The addition of NBI and AFI further increases the sensitivity of
Lucera Spectrum endoscopy."
Mr Malcolm Miller, Chief executive at The London Clinic, adds:
"This is another example of our commitment, as a not-for-profit
organisation, to reinvest every penny of our surplus into providing
medical excellence and progressive technology for all our patients.
The potential of this system, particularly in relation to detecting
cancer, is very exciting and an important development in terms of
patient care."