Development of a Single-Board Computer High-Resolution Microendoscope (PiHRME) to Detect Cervical Cancer in Low-Resource Settings

Abstract

Abstract 35 Almost 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in developing countries, with the highest incidence rates occurring in Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa.1 While early detection and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions effectively prevent the development of invasive cervical cancer, limited resources and infrastructure make it difficult to implement standard cervical cancer screening methods in low-resource areas. In many low-resource areas, health workers use visual inspection of the cervix following the application of acetic acid (VIA) to identify precancerous lesions. While VIA reduces cervical cancer mortality, it is associated with a low specificity. A number of recent studies have shown that high-resolution optical imaging can identify precancerous lesions in vivo with higher specificity than VIA; however, the cost of these imaging systems is a barrier to wider scale implementation. We therefore have developed a low-cost, high-resolution microendoscope controlled by a single-board computer (PiHRME) to detect cervical precancerous lesions at the point-of-care. The PiHRME allows healthcare providers to image the cervix in vivo and view cervical epithelial cells in real time with sub-cellular resolution. Here we demonstrate that a low cost ($35) single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi, can be used to reduce the cost and improve the mobility of a high-resolution optical imaging system without compromising its spatial resolution. Thus, HRME screening of cervical cancer can be made more accessible in low-resource areas. The PiHRME is currently being evaluated in a pilot study in El Salvador to assess its effectiveness at the point-of-care. 1American Cancer Society. Global Cancer Facts & Figures 3rd Edition. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2015. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Sonia Parra No relationship to disclose Pelham Keahey No relationship to disclose Kathleen Schmeler Research Funding: Cepheid Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: UpToDate Mauricio Maza No relationship to disclose Philip Castle Honoraria: Roche, Cepheid Consulting or Advisory Role: Cepheid, GE Healthcare, Guided Therapeutics, ClearPath, Merck, Genticel, Teva, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Hologic Rebecca R. Richards-Kortum Honoraria: Jannsen Global Services Research Funding: Merck Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Patents