The UK is to become the first nation in the world to have a network of state-of-the-art, non-invasive digital autopsy facilities, marking a key step forward in establishing the cause of unnatural deaths.
Using sophisticated visualisation software, and a scanner rather than a scalpel, the first £3m unit is housed at Sheffield's Medico-Legal Centre.
The revolutionary new technology, created by advanced medical visualisation company, iGene, uses unique 3D visualisation software and is set to revolutionise the way autopsies are carried out, and the process of examination and investigation, in the future. The new centre in Sheffield is the first facility in the world outside its birthplace in Malaysia and paves the way for a nationwide network of facilities, signalling a £50m investment.
We hope to nurture a strategic relationship with the view to better serve the coronial post mortem services in UK
Digital Autopsy involves a scan of the body using a GE Healthcare Optima CT540 scanner, before iGene’s software INFOPSY creates a 3D image of the body, enabling the pathologist to conduct a full, non-invasive digital post mortem using a large, touchscreen tablet computer. Where necessary, the scene of death or crime could also be reconstructed digitally using the 3D capabilities of the system. The results are available almost immediately.
Benefits of the system include:
- Easing the emotional burden on families at a time of intense stress with a dignified and non-invasive investigation
- Speed of examination, investigation and subsequent autopsy results, minimising delays in releasing the body for burial or cremation
- Accuracy of results - Some findings that are difficult to spot during a conventional process can be more easily identified and examined in line with the needs of forensic pathologists
iGene aims to have 18 facilities across England and Wales open by the end of 2015, with the eventual creation of up to 250 highly-skilled jobs.
Matt A Chandran, chief executive and founder of iGene, said: “GE Healthcare has been a key partner in iGene realising its UK vision of establishing a network of 18 digital autopsy facilities. We hope to nurture a strategic relationship with the view to better serve the coronial post mortem services in UK.”
Our partnership presents a very exciting opportunity to expand the use of our technology outside the traditional hospital environment
Jane Hickey, molecular imaging and CT business manager for GE Healthcare in UK and Ireland, added: “Our partnership with iGene presents a very exciting opportunity for GE Healthcare to expand the use of our technology outside the traditional hospital environment and we look forward to supporting them as they expand this service throughout the UK.”
Approximately 550,000 deaths are recorded in England and Wales each year, of which more than 200,000 are classified as medico legal. iGene believes digital autopsies will become the first-line intervention in post mortem investigation, and more than 70% of the cases could be concluded using the technique alone. In the future a more targeted, invasive post mortem may only be required where digital autopsy cannot provide all information required.
