MedTech Startup SigTuple: Revolutionizing Pathology with AI-Enabled Diagnostics
SigTuple, a Bengaluru-based medtech startup, is making significant strides in the field of pathology diagnosis by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Founded by Dr. Tathagato Rai Dastidar, SigTuple aims to streamline the pathologist’s workflow, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes. In this article, we explore the journey of SigTuple and how its AI-enabled device is transforming disease diagnosis.
The Founder’s Inspiration
Dr. Tathagato Rai Dastidar, with over two decades of experience in the tech industry and holding 11 United States patents, established SigTuple in 2015. His inspiration stems from a personal tragedy when his father’s acute myeloid leukaemia treatment was delayed due to a misdiagnosis. Driven by a mission to prevent such fatal medical misdiagnoses, SigTuple was born.
The Vision for SigTuple
SigTuple takes a multi-disciplinary approach, combining AI, robotics, microfluidics, and cloud computing to create intelligent diagnostic solutions. The goal is to make quality healthcare delivery more affordable and accessible by focusing on accurate and early disease diagnosis, especially in underserved areas.
Addressing Critical Challenges
The shortage of pathologists, especially in smaller cities and towns, poses a significant challenge to timely disease diagnosis. SigTuple’s innovation lies in automating the manual microscopic review process, which is prone to errors and time-consuming. Their flagship device, the AI100, addresses this challenge by automating the microscopic review of blood and urine samples.
The AI100 Device
– The AI100 device is a combination of software and hardware components.
– It functions as an automated slide scanner, converting physical specimens into digital images.
– The AI platform then analyzes these images, providing clinical insights to pathologists.
– This reduces slide review time, allowing pathologists to work remotely and efficiently.
– The device significantly improves diagnosis accuracy and speeds up the reporting process.
Enhancing Pathologist Efficiency
– The AI100 device eliminates the need for pathologists to be physically present in the lab.
– Pathologists can review samples remotely, improving efficiency and reducing turnaround time.
– AI reduces fatigue-related errors, enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses.
– Pathologists can now review approximately 300 slides per day compared to 30 with manual microscopy.
Impact on Healthcare Delivery
SigTuple’s AI-enabled diagnostics are transforming healthcare delivery, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities, where pathologist shortages are common. Laboratory chains can expand their services to smaller cities, reducing sample transport time and improving patient care.
Partnerships and Growth
SigTuple has partnerships with top laboratory and hospital chains in India, including HCG, Manipal, Krsnaa Diagnostics, SRL, and Aarthi Scans. The company’s focus is on continued innovation in the medical field and expanding its commercial presence in India and internationally.
SigTuple’s journey from personal tragedy to medical innovation exemplifies the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. By automating and improving the accuracy of disease diagnosis, SigTuple’s AI100 device is not only making the lives of pathologists easier but also ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate healthcare. As SigTuple continues its mission to expand and innovate, the future of healthcare diagnostics looks brighter and more accessible for all.
