AI analysis of electrosurgical smoke to detect cancer during breast-conserving surgery
Official title: Intraoperative Detection of Breast Cancer by Electrosurgical Gas Analysis and Artificial Intelligence
Run by Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile · NCT07131735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether an AI-connected device can read gases from cauterized tissue to help surgeons find cancerous margins in women having breast-conserving surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Santiago, Santiago Centro and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 18, 2023 |
| Main results expected | September 18, 2025 |
| Study ends | September 18, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | August 20, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07131735 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18 or older with histologically confirmed breast cancer who are scheduled for breast-conserving surgery at the participating centers and can give informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Pregnant or lactating women, patients allergic to device components, or those not undergoing breast-conserving surgery are unlikely to benefit from this device.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The device is first trained in the lab to recognize gases released from cancerous versus normal breast tissue, then connected during surgery to sample electrosurgical smoke via a sterile hose to a smoke extractor. The AI will classify tissue in real time and its calls will be compared with rapid intraoperative biopsies and final histology to measure sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The trial will include multiple breast cancer subtypes to capture biological variability and the surgeries will be recorded for margin mapping. The device will undergo monthly calibration with known gases to maintain performance within a 5% variability threshold.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could help surgeons identify cancer at surgical margins in real time, potentially reducing reoperation rates and improving margin clearance.
How similar studies have gone: Early research using volatile compound or electrosurgical smoke analysis with machine learning has shown promising preliminary results but remains experimental and not yet standard practice.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of malignant breast cancer * Scheduled for BCS at the Hospital UC * Able and willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or lactating women * Patients with known hypersensitivity or allergy to any component of the BCGC device * Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrolment
Where it's running
-
Hospital Clínico UC CHRISTUS
Santiago, Santiago Centro, Chile Recruiting -
Facultad de medicina UC
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile Active not recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Maximiliano L Mariné
- Email: maxmarine@uc.cl
- Phone: +56952084996
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.