Companion Animal Health has added HT Vista to its portfolio of point-of-care diagnostic solutions. HT Vista is described as the first noninvasive medical device designed to rule out cancer in subcutaneous and dermal masses.
Cancer is responsible for death in 47% of dogs and 32% of cats at least 10 years old. Identified masses often are not investigated because the procedures typically are invasive, painful and expensive. However, lumps can progress to malignant cancer, so early diagnosis can improve a pet’s prognosis.
HT Vista uses heat diffusion imaging (HDI), an artificial-intelligence algorithm that recognizes cancerous cells by their unique heat-flow properties. The patented technology was developed by experts in AI, thermodynamics, oncology and radiology, according to Companion Animal Health.
When HT Vista’s handpiece is applied to a suspicious lump, HDI initiates a dynamic image recording of thermal signals to measure heat diffusion and compare them to surrounding tissue. An algorithm analyzes the results and classifies the lump as malignant or benign.
The results are delivered immediately on a 1-to-10 scale. One to 4 means further diagnostics are necessary, while 5 to 10 indicates that the mass is benign, with a 98% negative predictive value.