Medtronic plc, a global leader in health care technology, announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a three-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for GI Genius AI-powered endoscopy units, resulting in almost 100 additional units being installed across VA medical centers nationwide. This expansion underscores the ability of Medtronic’s proven technology to deliver state-of-the-art care to veterans, aiming to provide gold-standard diagnostic accuracy in colorectal screenings for thousands who served.
“We’re truly honored to expand our work with the VA to bring AI innovation directly to more patients, especially to Veterans who have proudly served our Nation,” said Raj Thomas, vice president and president of the Endoscopy business, which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic. “Colorectal cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among Veterans, and this partnership is more than technology — it’s about setting a new benchmark in care with AI-driven precision to support earlier, more accurate diagnoses. This commitment advances our fight against colorectal cancer and reinforces Medtronic’s mission to deliver life-changing care to patients everywhere.”
Through a partnership with a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), this contract is a result of several years of groundwork and implementation with the VA which includes over 360 GI Genius units installed across over 140 VA facilities in the United States and Puerto Rico, marking a significant step in expanding access to AI-assisted colonoscopies throughout the VA network. The VA performs approximately 250,000 colonoscopies each year[1], diagnosing around 4,000 new cases of colorectal cancer annually[2].
Equipped with AI-driven technology, which can reduce missed polyps by up to 50%[3], GI Genius offers VA clinicians unparalleled support in early detection and potentially life-saving insights. The expansion of Medtronic’s GI Genius technology furthers the adoption of cutting-edge tools to fight against this cancer.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not support nor endorse individual vendors.
[1] The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has indicated that their medical centers perform approximately 250,000 colonoscopies per year.
[2] VA diagnoses 4,000 cases of colon cancer each year. VA News blog, Mar. 21, 2019.
[3] Wallace MB, Sharma P, Bhandari P, et al. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Miss Rate of Colorectal Neoplasia. Gastroenterology. 2022;163(1):295. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2022.03.
