Augmented reality helps surgeons, students see a bigger picture

Leica Microsystems, developers of microscopes capable of viewing microstructures and nanostructures, has introduced its augmented reality imaging technologies for surgical microscopes at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting 2017.

The GLOW800 supports surgeons in making decisions and teaching students on complex neurosurgical procedures. GLOW800 augmented reality fluorescence was developed to improve vascular fluorescence during neurosurgery. The augmented reality combines the high contrast of near infrared fluorescence imaging with white light into a single image, allowing surgeons to view one image with both white light and colored images in real-time.

This comprehensive view of the anatomy allow for less interruptions and more advanced decision making.

"Leica Microsystems is and always has been committed to developing innovative new ways to support its customer's needs and requirements. In delicate neurosurgery the outstanding optical quality provided by our microscopes is not always enough. This customer paint point motivated us to develop innovative new ways to augment surgical visualization so that surgeons can operate with as much knowledge and confidence as possible," said Markus Lusser, president of Leica Microsystems. "Moreover, we ensure these new augmented technologies can be fully integrated into our premium neurosurgical microscope at any time. This gives surgeons and hospitals complete flexibility, protects their investment, and helps them remain at the cutting edge when we introduce the next advance in augmented reality imaging."