Olympus Medical’s SeleCT Screening Ai platform helps ID severe emphysema patients who may benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR).


RT’s Three Key Takeaways:

  1. Ai-Powered Screening: Olympus has launched SeleCT Screening, an Ai-driven platform that automatically analyzes existing CT scans to identify emphysema patients who may benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR).
  2. Improved Patient Access: The technology enables faster identification and treatment matching for severe emphysema patients, potentially improving their quality of life through the use of the Spiration Valve System.
  3. Significant Public Health Need: With millions affected and many cases undiagnosed, SeleCT Screening aims to address the gap in emphysema care by streamlining detection and expanding access to minimally invasive treatment options.


Olympus Corp has announced the full market release of its Ai-driven emphysema screening program, SeleCT Screening.

The SeleCT Screening Ai platform, powered by 4DMedical, helps identify severe emphysema patients who may benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR).i

SeleCT Screening automatically reviews existing chest computed tomography (CT) scans throughout a health system to help identify patients who may benefit from BLVR with endobronchial valves such as the Spiration Valve System. Physicians are notified if a potentially qualified patient is identified so that they can be contacted for further evaluation for the Spiration Valve.

“This use of Ai technology is an exciting opportunity for us to help more emphysema patients in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Niral Patelii, interventional pulmonologist with UC San Diego Health. “Matching the right patients to the right treatment opportunity is not easy – the process takes time, and that’s a resource that a lot our severe emphysema patients don’t have. Getting to them faster is critical.”

Emphysema is a progressive form of COPD characterized by a loss of elasticity and enlargement of the air sacs of the lung. The diseased lobes of the lungs become hyperinflated, causing significant challenges with breathing.

More than 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with emphysemaiii, and COPD affects nearly 16 million adults in the U.S.iv COPD remains critically under-diagnosed with studies showing that as many as 80% of adults with COPD worldwide are undiagnosed.v

“Emphysema can have a debilitating effect on a person’s life. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is a way to help those dealing with the disease to reclaim some of the freedoms they may have lost,” said Dr. Kyle Hogarth with University of Chicago Medicine2. “Technology like SeleCT Screening is an effective way to more quickly identify those who could most benefit from treatment and experience an improved quality of life.”

“Access is an important factor when it comes to procedures like bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, so we are excited for the full launch of an Ai-powered tool to help connect patients to procedures that offer the possibility of an improved quality of life,” said Swarna Alcorn, Business Unit Vice President, Respiratory, Olympus America, Inc. “Coupling technologies like SeleCT Screening and Spiration Valve represent the intersection of Olympus’ core values of patient focus, innovation and impact.”


Reference and Notes from Olympus Medical

i Criner GJ, Mallea JM, Abu-Hijleh M, et al., “Sustained Clinical Benefits of Spiration Valve System in Patients with Severe Emphysema: 24-Month Follow-Up of EMPROVE.” Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(2):251-260. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202306-520OC
ii Drs. Patel and Hogarth are paid consultants for Olympus Corp. of the Americas
iii American Lung Association, “Key Facts About Emphysema.”
iv U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About COPD,” Rev. May 15, 2024
v Lin CH, Cheng SL, Chen CZ, Chen CH, Lin SH, Wang HC. Current Progress of COPD Early Detection: Key Points and Novel Strategies. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2023;18:1511-1524. Published 2023 Jul 19. doi:10.2147/COPD.S413969