During minimally invasive surgery, cutting-edge imaging technology can give physicians more and better visual information to base decisions on. Medical spectral imaging makes the invisible visible to surgeons – and can improve outcomes for patients.

This R&D team is taking medical spectral imaging to the next level: Their computer-aided surgery solutions are non-invasive and easy to use. A combination of live video and hyperspectral images (HSI) allows surgeons to assess tissue perfusion and identify risk structures in real time during an operation.

Leipzig is home to a wide variety of highly educated medical and technology experts. They laid the groundwork for the spectral imaging success story, together with these industry-defining players:

• Leipzig’s Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS) not only provided invaluable technical know-how, but was also instrumental in connecting the venture with corporate partners who were able and willing to integrate the new technologies into products
• Collaborators at Leipzig University Hospital played a key role in defining the medical requirements and clinically evaluating the imaging systems
• Leipzig University provided a fertile environment for the recruitment of students

In addition, collaboration with the two German corporate partners was made easy thanks to Leipzig’s central location and excellent infrastructure – proving that this vibrant metropolis has much to offer young ventures.

The team has helped develop technologies such as the TIVITA® Mini, the world’s first certified endoscopic spectral imaging device. By combining color video and spectral imaging, it can help improve surgical decision-making and thus enhance patient outcomes.