The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a new technology, AV Magnavisualizer, which will be useful for the doctors for detection of early cancerous lesion of cervical cancer.

After developing the new device, the ICMR will soon commercialise the same, for which the premier research organisation in the country has invited expression of interest from interested private parties.

Dr Sadhana Srivastava, scientist at the ICMR who is involved in the process, said that the ICMR is seeking companies interested in commercializing the device for the detection of early cancerous lesion of cervical cancer through AV Magnavisualizer. She said that AV Magnivisualizer was designed to improve the sensitivity of VIA and reduce the non specific results as much as possible. Most of the rural clinics use torch or ordinary tungsten bulb, which may mask many of the features of cervical lesions (e.g. the colour, contour, margin etc). That may result in missing of some of the lesions or may interfere with identifying the biopsy site.

Describing about the major benefits of the device, Dr Sadhana said that AV Magnivisualizer is low cost illumination and magnifying device for visualizing the cervix, which can be used, where there is no cytology and colposcopy facilities are available. This device can also be used where even there is no electricity because it can also be operated on 12 volt portable rechargeable battery.

She said in India, shortcomings in infrastructure and a lack of trained personnel, screening by visual inspection with the AV Magnivisualizer offers an alternative means to detect most early cancerous and high grade lesions that have a high potential for progression. The simple technique of visual inspection by means of the AV Magnivisualizer can be undertaken even in a primary health centre; the only additional requirement is an examination table. A biopsy can be performed at the same time, whereas with the result of the cytological investigation is not known for some time afterwards. See and treat approach can easily be adopted.

The new device can be used by gynaecologists, nurses and paramedicals in government infrastructure, primary healthcare centres in all over India (45,000 at present), community health centres (1200 approximately) and district hospitals. Even private hospitals and practicing gynaecologists can also use it for a part of aided visual inspection, Dr Sadhana said.