Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in India. At a national level annually, over 96500 new cases are reported, with 60000+ women losing their lives to cervical cancer.
Lack of viable solutions, delay in diagnosis, high detection costs and lack of awareness contribute to the issue, highlighting the urgent need for effective screening and early detection.
To address this issue, Bengaluru-based health-tech startup Aindra Systems have come up with an AI-based solution. Their revolutionary product CervAstra, an AI-powered device, enables swift and accurate cervical cancer screening at affordable costs.
Let’s know more about its technology.
Aindra’s AI technology
Aindra’s technology harnesses the power of the pap smear test, a widely recognised method for cervical cancer screening. By combining AI technology with pap smear tests, Aindra’s innovative device provides a low-cost point-of-care solution for identifying cervical cancer with minimal human intervention.
CervAstra is Aindra system’s suite of 3 products which work cohesively to detect cervical cancer. Here’s how CervAstra works:
Staining using Aindra IS
The process begins by collecting cells from the cervix and carefully smearing them onto a glass slide. These cells are then stained using a chemical reagent known as pap stains to enhance their visibility.
Aindra IS is an autostainer that efficiently stains the collected sample, reducing the need for human intervention.
Scanning using Aindra VX
The stained slide is placed under Aindra VisionX, which captures high-resolution digital images of the cells with its advanced imaging technology, allowing for detailed analysis and examination.
Analysis using Aindra Astra
CervAstra’s AI-based computing platform, Aindra Astra, uses sophisticated algorithms to analyse the digital image and classify the sample as normal or abnormal based on predefined patterns. The device then sends the findings to a pathologist for confirmation.
Pathologist Confirmation and Self-Learning
The pathologist reviews the results to endorse CervAstra’s findings or provide their assessment. This feedback loop adds to CervAstra’s self-learning capability. It remembers the pathologist’s decisions, improves its accuracy and builds a comprehensive database of knowledge over time.
The entire process, from sample collection to analysis and pathologist confirmation, is completed within a day as opposed to traditional methods that take six to eight weeks.
Aindra’s CervAstra leverages the power of AI and machine learning to offer streamlined and reliable solutions for cervical cancer screening, saving time and improving patient outcomes.
What makes CervAstra unique?
The current screening and detection process for cervical cancer in rural India is tiresome. It begins with visiting the gynaecologist, submitting samples to a diagnostic centre and waiting weeks (around 6 to 8 weeks) for results. This is time-consuming and costly, with expenses reaching Rs. 2000 per test.
CervAstra simplifies the entire procedure by allowing gynaecologists to install the device in their clinics. This reduces the price per test to Rs. 200 to 400 and eliminates the need for diagnostic centres and additional to and fro for the patient.
By using CervAstra, the operational time and logistics costs are significantly reduced. The entire process takes only an hour and a half at half the market rate. This innovative device with an ISO certification and contracts with pathology labs and oncology centres across Karnataka, streamlines the screening process, making it more accessible and affordable for patients.
– Adarsh Natarajan, Founder and CEO, Aindra Systems
How Aindra can save lives?
Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in successful cancer treatment and improving survival rates. Unfortunately, in lower resource settings and vulnerable populations in India, accessing timely and affordable screening for cervical cancer is a significant challenge.
Aindra’s CervAstra device makes a life-saving impact as:
It is quick and affordable
CervAstra’s price per test ranges between Rs 200-400, offering a low-cost point-of-care solution. As a result, it makes cervical cancer screening an accessible, rapid and inexpensive process.
It covers the shortage of clinical staff
With a shortage of qualified lab assistants and pathologists in rural India, CervAstra’s automated analysis of biological samples reduces the need for human intervention. It provides immediate and accurate identification of abnormalities, enabling early diagnosis without hassle.
Here’s what healthcare professionals have to say about CervAstra:
Dr Vani Ravikumar, Head of Lab at RV Metropolis Diagnostic and Healthcare Centre, praises CervAstra for its ease of use and potential to decrease advanced-stage cervical cancer cases. She says the device’s ability to identify cancerous cells swiftly offers hope for reducing late-stage diagnoses.
Aindra’s real-life impact
As of 2020, Aindra had screened over 700 women for cervical cancer in both rural and urban areas of Karnataka and deployed its device in large hospitals and diagnostic centres across the state.
Advancing its plans, the startup plans to install its device across gynaecology clinics, nursing homes, hospitals and diagnostic centres in tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India. In the next 5 years, it aims to screen around 5 lakh women across the country.
More About Aindra
Aindra was started by Adarsh Natarajan in collaboration with the Centre for Public Policy in 2012 to build AI models for financial fraud detection and risk mitigation. Alarmed by cervical cancer statistics and recognising the potential of AI in healthcare, Natarajan shifted Aindra’s focus to designing AI models and devices for medical purposes.
Incubated and mentored by Villgro, Aindra has partnered with esteemed institutions like Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cancer Care India, IISC and IIT Madras, and is in advanced talks with St. John’s Hospital.
It has received grants from initiatives such as the Millennium Alliance, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). The startup also secured funds through the Idea2PoC initiative launched by the Government of Karnataka.
Natarajan’s vision, combined with partnerships, grants and support from government initiatives, has propelled Aindra’s journey in revolutionising healthcare with AI-driven solutions.
