Banner Health
Patients suffering from lower back pain may soon benefit from a new tool designed to help doctors identify specific causes of pain before spine surgeries. The CLARITY study at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is testing Nociscan, a software tool that uses advanced imaging technology and artificial intelligence to help doctors identify which specific discs in the lower back are causing pain. The tool is designed to highlight chemical biomarkers associated with disc pain.
“Results from the study could potentially reshape how spine surgeons approach surgical planning and ideally improve quality of life for patients who often otherwise have few options for prolonged pain relief,” said Nicholas Theodore, MD, Banner Health physician executive for the neuroscience service line and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery – Banner for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. He is also serving as the principal investigator on the trial in Phoenix.
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About the College
Founded in 2007, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix inspires and trains exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders to advance its core missions in education, research, clinical care and service to communities across Arizona. The college’s strength lies in our collaborations and partnerships with clinical affiliates, community organizations and industry sponsors. With our primary affiliate, Banner Health, we are recognized as the premier academic medical center in Phoenix. As an anchor institution of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the college is home to signature research programs in neurosciences, cardiopulmonary diseases, immunology, informatics and metabolism. These focus areas uniquely position us to drive biomedical research and bolster economic development in the region.
As an urban institution with strong roots in rural and tribal health, the college has graduated more than 1,000 physicians and matriculates 130 students each year. Greater than 60% of matriculating students are from Arizona and many continue training at our GME sponsored residency programs, ultimately pursuing local academic and community-based opportunities. While our traditional four-year program continues to thrive, we will launch our recently approved accelerated three-year medical student curriculum with exclusive focus on primary care. This program is designed to further enhance workforce retention needs across Arizona.
The college has embarked on our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. Learn more.