IIT researchers develop portable device for cervical cancer screening

India: In a major development, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi researchers in collaboration with Aindra Systems, Bengaluru have contributed to the development of a portable device to screen for cervical cancer. The device is powered by artificial intelligence that screens cervical cancer by analyzing microscopy images with high accuracy. With the development, the women especially those in remote and rural areas, will no longer require a trip to the hospital to get themselves tested.

Cervical cancer is the third most common and third most deadly cancer in women worldwide. Early detection and treatment are vital for the survival of those diagnosed with cervical cancer. The current gold standard for cervical cancer screening is the ‘Pap smear test.’ In this, cells extracted from the cervix are examined by specialists using a microscope. Drawbacks of the method test is that it involves subjective analysis and is associated with risks of false diagnoses. Also, patients need to travel to the hospital for this test that could be challenging for women residing in geographically distant areas or in regions lacking basic diagnostic infrastructure.

The research was undertaken by a team lead by Dr. Anil Sao and Dr. Arnav Bhavsar, Associate Professors, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi with their research scholars Ms. Srishti Gautam and Ms. Krati Gupta. The team, along with the industry collaborators has developed AI-based algorithms that enables the device to undertake automatic screening for cervical cancer.

“The difference between a conventional system and Aindra’s point-of-care system is that, the latter is portable and can be taken to the potential patients. In the conventional system, the people have to visit the pathology laboratory to get themselves screened," said Dr. Bhavsar, speaking on the practical advantages of the device created during this research.

The researchers have applied for an international patent for the device and algorithm in 2016 and their research results have been published in many international journals and conference proceedings in the past two years. The device prototypes are currently undergoing clinical testing at Kidwai Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru, Manipal Hospital, Karnataka and Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru. The accuracy of the developed prototypes has been consistently around 88 percent.

The IIT Mandi team first analysed Pap smear images provided by the industrial partner, Aindra, and characterized them into ‘normal’ and ‘potentially cancerous.’ They developed a computer program that could differentiate between the two.

“We could demonstrate performance improvements over some of the contemporary methods, with relatively simpler, and arguably more efficient methods”, said Dr. Bhavsar.

The developed algorithm is based on the recent deep learning paradigm of artificial intelligence. The advantage of this type of program is that it can be used in situations wherein one can encounter a large amount and variability in data.

“Given the shortage of pathologists in India, these algorithms will help in automating the process of screening Pap -Smear images. Thus, there will be a significant reduction in time spent by the pathologist, thereby reducing cost and improving the screening accuracy,” said Dr. Sao, speaking on the relevance and importance of this algorithm.