In this podcast episode, Ryan Stidham, MD, discusses the evolution and development of digital imaging and AI in the GI space, how AI can revolutionize stages within the clinical trials and practices and more.
Author: Abhay Panchal
EndoQuest Robotics has officially launched its pivotal PARADIGM clinical trial with the successful completion of its first two robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedures. Performed by renowned colorectal surgeon Dr. Eric Haas, the trial is testing EndoQuest’s groundbreaking Endoluminal Surgical (ELS) System—a flexible, single-use robotic platform designed for scar-free, natural orifice surgery. If proven effective, the system could transform how complex colorectal lesions are treated, making minimally invasive options more accessible. But as the U.S. remains slow to adopt ESD due to technical challenges, the real question looms: can robotics finally tip the scale?
A quiet revolution in GI care may be underway. At DDW 2025, researchers presented findings suggesting that advanced practice providers (APPs) can safely and effectively perform transnasal endoscopies (TNE) using single-use devices—without sedation. The pilot study showed not only strong technical success and patient tolerance, but also real-world impact: care plans changed for 92% of patients. As systems face bottlenecks and GI access challenges, could trained APPs become the key to expanding upper GI diagnostics? Early results are promising—but experts caution that wide-scale adoption will hinge on rigorous training, payer acceptance, and cultural shift.
Women—especially in midlife—are facing a silent GI epidemic. While functional and serious GI conditions surge, the average wait time for specialist care in the U.S. stretches to 48 days. For many women, that delay is not just inconvenient—it’s devastating. In this powerful piece, Sheri Rudberg of WovenX Health lays bare the systemic failures women encounter: misdiagnosis, dismissal, and care pathways not designed with them in mind. Drawing from personal stories and a call to redesign virtual GI care, the article urges stakeholders to rethink how, when, and for whom care is delivered.
From Fast Company: What if the future of healthcare depends on the kids no one’s looking at?Health tech is transforming lives—helping people with Parkinson’s drink coffee without trembling, catching cancer early, and restoring simple daily joys. But Fast Company spotlights a growing challenge: a looming global shortage of tech and healthcare workers that could stall this life-changing progress. At the same time, millions of young people from low-income communities remain an untapped resource. Medtronic believes the answer lies in bridging this gap—not just through degrees, but by expanding access to hands-on STEM education, skills-based hiring, and visibility into careers students…
Dr. Neil Parikh, Chief Innovation Officer at Connecticut GI and Chair of the GI Alliance Innovation Committee, brings a refreshingly grounded perspective to the future of gastroenterology. For him, innovation isn’t research—it’s real-world feasibility. It’s pilot programs born from pain points like access, cost, and patient satisfaction. And it’s about using the scale and clinical volume of independent practices to drive meaningful change—shaping not just care delivery, but potentially the guidelines themselves. In this candid conversation, Dr. Parikh maps out where GI is headed: AI-powered triage and documentation, actionable microbiome data, non-invasive diagnostics, and the quiet revolution of food and…
On May 8, 2025, WHOOP launched its most advanced wearables yet—WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG (Medical Grade)—marking a pivotal moment in personalized health monitoring. Founder and CEO Will Ahmed called it a “new chapter” for the company, integrating cutting-edge edge computing, AI, and clinical-grade biometrics into a smaller, smarter device. Key Highlights: WHOOP Age & Healthspan Insights: Offers a personalized biological age score and tailored behavior tips to improve longevity.
On May 7, 2025, Priority Health announced a strategic partnership with Ayble Health to launch a comprehensive digestive health program for its commercial members. The new virtual GI solution—available starting June 1—will provide multidisciplinary, whole-person care for members struggling with chronic gastrointestinal disorders, which affect nearly 40% of Americans. Key program features include: This initiative reflects Priority Health’s broader push toward innovative, accessible care while empowering members to manage both the physical and emotional toll of GI conditions.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives—but how do common methods like colonoscopy and non-invasive screening methods compare in their environmental effects? With the healthcare sector being responsible for over four percent of the global carbon footprint, researchers are looking into more environmentally friendly options that can still provide optimal outcomes for patients. Dr. Peter Buch sits down with Dr. Mark Fendrick to examine the carbon footprint of available colorectal cancer screening strategies and explore how a shift to noninvasive options could offer promising clinical and environmental impacts. Dr. Fendrick is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Health Management and Policy at…
On May 7, 2025, WeightWatchers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, seeking to shed over $1 billion in debt. Once a dominant force in the wellness industry, the 62-year-old company has struggled amid the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. It plans to continue operations under new ownership, with existing shareholders retaining 9% equity. Despite declining overall revenue, WeightWatchers saw a 57% year-over-year increase in its clinical (telehealth and prescription drug) segment. The company rebranded as WW International in 2018 and had recently acquired telehealth platform Sequence to adapt to new trends.