Sanford Health now using A.I. assisted technology for colonoscopies

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Sanford Health in Fargo is now offering the first FDA-cleared artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopies to people in the region. The Medtronic GI Genius uses A.I. to help physicians detect pre-cancerous polyps which can lead to colorectal cancer.

“The technology is just going to continue to advance. Even GI Genius, they’re talking about another update within the next month. Where they will be adding to the 13 million images so that it just gets better and better.” said Dr. John Bassett, a gastroenterologist with Sanford.

According to Sanford, there are 13 million images stored in the system that can help medical providers in early detection and finding polyps. Dr. Bassett says this is a win for patients and for the healthcare system, especially since colon cancer is the third most common type diagnosed in the U.S. As there are 150,000 new colon cancer cases each year.