Optiscan Advances Robotic Surgery Imaging System with Mayo Clinic Collaboration
Optiscan Imaging and the Mayo Clinic have marked a year of significant progress in developing a cutting-edge imaging system designed to enhance robotic-assisted breast cancer surgery.
- Completion of all 12-month milestones under the Know-How Agreement
- Development of a robotic-compatible digital endomicroscopic imaging system
- Prototype accessories created for integration with surgical instruments
- System designed to provide real-time microscopic imaging during surgery
- Next development phase to occur at Mayo Clinic Florida campus
A Collaborative Leap in Surgical Imaging
Optiscan Imaging Ltd (ASX: OIL), an Australian medical technology company, has announced substantial progress in its collaboration with the prestigious Mayo Clinic to develop a digital confocal laser endomicroscopic imaging system tailored for robotic-assisted breast cancer surgeries. This partnership, formalised through a Know-How Agreement signed in mid-2024, aims to revolutionise surgical precision by providing surgeons with real-time, high-resolution microscopic images during robotic procedures.
The technology under development is designed to enable surgeons to classify tissue, identify cancer cells, and assess cancer margins with unprecedented accuracy during operations. This capability promises to streamline surgical workflows, improve decision-making, and potentially reduce the need for follow-up surgeries, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.
Milestones Achieved and Technical Advances
Over the past twelve months, Optiscan and Mayo Clinic teams have met all targeted deliverables. Key achievements include a deep understanding of robotic-assisted surgical workflows through collaboration with Dr Mara Piltin, a leading robotic breast surgeon at Mayo Clinic Rochester. This insight has informed the design of imaging probe accessories that integrate seamlessly with various surgical instruments used in robotic surgery.
Additionally, the teams have defined hardware and software requirements for a standalone imaging system that maintains autonomy from robotic platforms while ensuring compatibility across multiple manufacturers. A prototype device successfully interfaced with a surgical robotic platform, demonstrating the feasibility of delivering intraoperative microscopic imaging alongside standard surgical visuals.
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Validation
The collaboration is now advancing into prototyping and preclinical testing stages, with further enhancements to imaging probe accessories underway. The next phase will take place at the Mayo Clinic Florida campus, where Dr Piltin’s relocation is expected to foster additional collaborative opportunities. This expansion signals a broadening of the project’s scope and potential impact.
Optiscan’s CEO, Dr Camile Farah, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s progress, highlighting the versatility of their imaging platform and its potential to transform clinical settings beyond breast cancer surgery. The structured development process includes multiple milestones to guide design, testing, and validation, setting a clear path toward commercialisation.
By combining Optiscan’s pioneering imaging technology with Mayo Clinic’s expertise in robotic surgery, this collaboration is poised to set new benchmarks in surgical precision and patient care, potentially reshaping the future of robotic-assisted surgical procedures.
Bottom Line?
With foundational milestones achieved, Optiscan and Mayo Clinic are poised to redefine surgical imaging—next steps will be critical to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- How will regulatory approval timelines impact the commercial rollout of the imaging system?
- What are the plans for expanding the technology’s application beyond breast cancer surgery?
- How will Optiscan navigate integration challenges across different robotic surgery platforms?
