ALISO VIEJO, Calif., April 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cianna Medical, Inc., today announced new data demonstrating that the proprietary SCOUT® radar localization system significantly reduces operating room (OR) start times and improves workflow for surgical procedures targeting non-palpable breast lesions. The data were presented in two posters at the American Society of Breast Surgeons 18th Annual Meeting, taking place in Las Vegas April 26-30.
SCOUT® is the world’s only zero-radiation, wire-free, radar localization system. The novel technology, which is encapsulated in a device smaller than a grain of rice, has received rapid adoption at leading medical facilities across the U.S. and numerous technology awards. SCOUT offers several benefits over previous localization methods, including unmatched precision to 1mm, operating room compatibility, simplified scheduling, optimal surgical planning and guidance, improved efficiencies and higher patient and physician satisfaction.
Mary K. Hayes, M.D., Chief of Women’s Imaging at Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida, presented a poster titled, “SAVI SCOUT® Localization Improves Breast Surgery Operating Room Start Times Compared with Wire Localization,” which reported results from a prospective study of OR start time delays in procedures using SCOUT or wire technology for pre-operative breast lesion localization. Two surgeons were given the option of same day wire placement or SCOUT placement 0-30 days prior to surgery, and delayed OR start times were recorded for procedures conducted between January 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016. Start time information from 159 patients who underwent localizations for non-palpable breast lesions (30 wire localizations and 129 SCOUT localizations) was included in the analysis. Average OR start delay was 40 minutes for wire and 11 minutes for SCOUT localizations. The 29-minute difference was statistically significant (95%CI P < .001) and reflects a 72.5 percent decrease in delay time. No same day cancellations were attributed to SCOUT localization.
While operating room costs vary by geography, it is estimated that OR set up fees are about $3,000 and procedure fees average about $68/minute.1,2 A 29-minute reduction in OR waiting time would results in cost savings of $1,972, and eliminating same day cancellations would also provide significant cost benefits.
“Being able to begin surgical procedures closer to scheduled start times has the potential to improve efficiencies and support cost savings by reducing unproductive waiting time,” said Dr. Hayes. “Additionally, the ability to perform SCOUT localization up to 30 days prior to surgery provides greater flexibility for radiologists, surgeons, hospital staff and patients. Reducing delays in OR start times may also decrease the stress and anxiety that patients and their families experience in conjunction with surgery.”
Charles Cox, M.D., Professor of Surgery and McCann Foundation Endowed Professor of Breast Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Director of the USF Breast Health Program, and Medical Director of Morsani Ambulatory Surgery Center, presented additional data on workflow efficiencies associated with SCOUT in a poster titled, “Efficiency Impact of Radar Localization.” The reported study was based on the results of evaluation forms that radiologists (n=14) and surgeons (n=13) completed describing their experience with SCOUT compared with their prior experience using wire localization. Ten of the responding radiologists answered the query about workflow improvements, of which 90% indicated an improvement with SCOUT compared with wire localization. This improvement was largely associated with the ability to schedule localization at the convenience of the patient and the radiology department, rather than performing localization the day of the surgical procedure. Among the 13 responding surgeons, nine performed SCOUT placement at least one day prior to surgery (average 2.8 days). All surgeons reported improvements in surgical start times, decreased patient waiting times and reduction in OR delays with SCOUT compared with wire localization. The reported reduction in OR delays was greater among surgeons who performed SCOUT localizations at least one day prior to surgery compared with surgeons who used SCOUT the day of surgery.
During the conference, Dr. Hayes and Juliann Reiland, M.D., will present radiology and surgical perspectives, respectively, on SCOUT. Their presentations are scheduled for Saturday, April 29 at the Bellagio Hotel from 6:30am to 7:45am PDT.
“As Cianna Medical strives to improve breast cancer outcomes, we are acutely aware that healthcare utilization and costs are critical aspects of making optimal care accessible to all patients. These data demonstrate that SCOUT improves hospital workflow efficiency and reduces OR start time delays, factors that impact the cost and convenience of care,” said Jill Anderson, President and CEO of Cianna Medical. “Previously published studies have shown high clinician and patient satisfaction with SCOUT, and these new data suggest that the benefits of its increased operational efficiencies may extend to providers and payers as well.”
About SCOUT®
The FDA-cleared SCOUT system features a proprietary, highly sophisticated reflector that is precisely placed at the tumor site up to 30 days before a lumpectomy or surgical biopsy. During the procedure, the surgeon scans the breast using the SCOUT guide which emits 50 million pulses per second, allowing the surgeon to “lock” in on the reflector’s precise location with ± 1mm of accuracy. This higher level of localization precision allows better surgical planning that may improve cosmetic results as less tissue may need to be removed. SCOUT has an exceptional detection range of 1mm – 50mm, documented migration of <1% across multiple studies, and is OR compatible.3
About Radar Technology
The SCOUT system uses highly sophisticated radar technology. Radar is used when unprecedented precision is required. Applications using radar include ground penetrating radar, automobile safety systems, flight control systems and antimissile and air-defense systems.
About Breast Conservation Surgery
The goal in breast-conservation surgery is to remove all detectable cancer cells. Of the estimated 174,000 women who have breast conservation surgery each year, approximately 30 percent will require repeat surgery because cancer cells are not completely removed during the first procedure. Developed more than 20 years ago, the standard preoperative technique for localizing non-palpable breast lesions is wire localization. During this procedure, a wire is inserted into the breast by a radiologist to guide the surgeon to the target tissue. The most common challenges reported with current localization techniques include scheduling and workflow, surgical planning and guidance, high re-excision rates and a sub-optimal patient experience.
About Cianna Medical, Inc.
Cianna Medical is the world leader in wire-free breast localization and has been focused on breast conservation for over 10 years. Cianna Medical develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical technologies that reduce costs, improve quality and reduce the anxiety and stress breast cancer treatments place on women and their families. Cianna Medical’s world class research, development and commercialization teams developed the world’s first non-radioactive, wire-free breast localization system and the world’s only technology that utilizes radar in tissue. Cianna Medical is focused on expanding applications that continually advance patient care. Its SCOUT and SAVI® Brachy technologies are FDA-cleared and address unmet needs in the delivery of radiation therapy, tumor localization and surgical guidance.
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1 Surgical Directions Consultants: Sheridan/Envision Anesthesia accessed October 1 2016
2 Cleveland Clinic: Website accessed October 1 2016. http://www.akrongeneral.org/portal/page/portal/AGMC_PAGEGROUP/Price_guide/PRICE_GUIDE5.
3 Cox CE, Russell S, Prowler V, et al. A Prospective, Single Arm, Multi-site, Clinical Evaluation of a Nonradioactive Surgical Guidance Technology for the Location of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions during Excision. Ann Surg Oncol. 2016;23(10):3168-74.