Australian-based Optiscan Imaging (ASX: OIL) has entered a strategic 24-month collaboration with leading U.S. medical institution Mayo Clinic to co-develop an advanced digital confocal laser endomicroscopy imaging system. The technology is being designed for integration into robotic-assisted breast cancer surgeries, with the shared goal of enhancing surgical precision and improving patient outcomes.
A Vision for Next-Generation Imaging
The initiative, launched in May 2024 under a “know-how” development agreement, brings together multidisciplinary teams from both organizations. Their primary focus is the creation of a high-resolution, real-time imaging platform that empowers surgeons with microscopic-level visual information during procedures. This capability is expected to dramatically enhance intraoperative decision-making through more accurate tissue classification, cancer cell identification, and assessment of cancer margins.
Optiscan’s proprietary imaging platform, known for its miniaturized confocal technology, will serve as the foundation for the development. The platform’s real-time visualization capabilities can supplement standard endoscopic views during surgery, potentially transforming the accuracy and efficiency of robotic-assisted interventions.
Designing for Robotic Integration
A core element of the collaboration is ensuring the system’s compatibility with a broad spectrum of robotic surgical technologies. Unlike solutions that are tied to specific manufacturers, the new system is being built as a manufacturer-agnostic platform. It is designed to provide autonomous imaging capabilities while maintaining the flexibility to integrate with existing surgical robotics.
Already, Optiscan has successfully connected its imaging prototype to Mayo Clinic’s surgical robotic platform. The prototype supports advanced features such as picture-in-picture visualization, confirming the feasibility of combining microscopic imaging with robotic-assisted workflows.
“This connection demonstrates the feasibility of providing intraoperative microscopic imaging to supplement the surgeon’s standard camera view using the same interface currently used in precision surgery,” Optiscan stated.
Enhancing Surgical Instrumentation
Beyond imaging alone, Optiscan and Mayo Clinic are co-developing endoscopic probe attachments that can be integrated with multifunctional surgical tools. These attachments will allow the imaging system to be incorporated directly into instruments used for cutting, grasping, retracting, and manipulating tissue—actions fundamental to robotic-assisted surgery.
The development of these attachments will help streamline the surgical process by enabling seamless imaging access without interrupting surgical flow. Such innovations could reduce the need for tissue sampling during procedures and improve the accuracy of cancer resections.
Structured Development Milestones
Optiscan’s General Manager, Dr. Camile Farah, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration: “This collaboration highlights the versatility of our imaging platform and will lay the foundation for its use in a range of clinical settings to improve patient care.”
He noted that the project follows a rigorous development process, with multiple milestones in place to guide the system’s design, validation, and testing.
“We are currently working with Mayo Clinic to develop a structured development process that will have multiple milestones to guide the design, testing and validation of this imaging system,” said Dr. Farah.
Raising the Bar for Breast Cancer Surgery
Optiscan believes this collaboration could redefine surgical standards in oncology, starting with breast cancer procedures.
“Our work together aims to improve the standard of care in breast cancer surgery by integrating state-of-the-art imaging into the robotic surgical process, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients while advancing the future of robotic-assisted surgical procedures,” said Dr. Farah.
The effort aligns closely with Mayo Clinic’s broader commitment to healthcare innovation and Optiscan’s vision for transforming care delivery through digital imaging technology.
Future Outlook
While the current project is focused on breast cancer surgery, both parties see potential applications for the technology in other surgical domains where precision and intraoperative imaging are critical—such as neurosurgery, gastrointestinal procedures, and urology.
“This is just one part of our commitment to transforming healthcare through innovation,” said Dr. Farah. “We look forward to demonstrating the progress we’ve made in evolving our unique suite of software- and hardware-related medical technology products.”
As development progresses, Optiscan and Mayo Clinic are expected to share key milestones and validation results, with the aim of achieving regulatory approval and clinical implementation in the near future.
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