Affordable diagnostic endoscopy is a growing need worldwide. Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in both women and men. Endoscopic inspection of the upper GI tract using flexible endoscopes is the primary method used to fight gastric cancer.

Despite the successful implementation of screening programs using flexible endoscopes in developed countries, many issues limit their widespread adoption in low and middle income countries (LMIC) and remote locations. The high initial and repair costs of flexible endoscopes limit the availability, and reprocessing requires specialized equipment and raise the cost-per-procedure. The low portability also limits screening programs to populations located near regional or urban endoscopy centers. The unsuccessful implementation of traditional screening programs in LMIC creates a need for alternative endoscopic screening technologies to address this clinical need.

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