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eHealth - Friday, September 29, 2006

Colonoscopy 2.0's NeoGuides Raises $25M

Los Gatos' NeoGuide Systems has raised $25M in its Series C led by London-based Advent Venture Partners.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 14% of all deaths from cancer in the US, making it the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2005, an estimated 145K cases will be diagnosed. If you are over 50, you know that you should be tested at least annually. The gold standard for testing is the colonoscopy. 14.2M colonoscopies were performed in 2002 and most people hated the experience. Neoguide systems claims to have invented a better colonoscopy.

Unlike conventional scopes, the NeoGuide colonoscope is built out of multiple segments that can be actively controlled. As the physician inserts the NeoGuide scope, the system creates a 3D map of the colon and then directs these segments to follow the path taken by the tip.

Here's the unit. Looks spendy.

View - NeoGuides site