Research and development activities for bringing innovative surgical microscopes gain momentum as the need to eliminate challenges posed by traditional microscopes rises. Researchers from different universities, companies, and government organizations have been collaborating for development of microscopes that will help doctors and clinicians in making informed decisions rapidly. Gaining real-time imaging is a major advantage of new microscopes. The demand for such microscope in the medical sector will rise in the coming years. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global surgical microscopes market is estimated to reach $1.39 billion by 2030. Following are some of the activities taking place across the world.
Researchers have been developing innovative surgical microscopes to overcome the existing challenges. Under the project BetterView, researchers from seven institutions will collaborate to develop a SWIR microscope for eliminating the challenges posed by existing surgical microscopes. This newly-developed microscope will enable researchers to take images through blood, cartilage, bacterial biofilms, and soft tissues. Moreover, this microscope will show these images spatially and separate from each other. The medical technology firm Munich Surgical Imaging will coordinate this research and development activity. The budget for the project is €4.1 million (approximately $4.52 million).
Initially, the team will develop the software that will run on the microscope. This software is expected to separate the light outside the SWIR spectrum. In the next step, it will create a three-dimensional image. Moreover, the software will create color contrasts. These contracts will differentiate distinguish between nerves, soft tissues, and others. Moreover, it will show the image in real-time to enable surgeons carry out surgeries with precision and create awareness in the surgical field.
Surgical microscope is a mechanically or electrically operated optical device, specifically designed for use in surgical settings to perform microsurgeries. It has a combination of lenses, which provides magnification, stereoscopic vision, and illuminated image of the surgical area. Surgical microscopes are ergonomically designed to provide strain-free operation to users. These microscopes find applications in dentistry, ENT, gynecology, urology, neurosurgery & spine surgery, oncology, ophthalmology, and plastic & reconstructive surgeries.
Alarming rise in prevalence of cosmetic surgeries, advancements in surgical microscope products, rise in government &private funds for development of healthcare sectors, and increase in number of surgical procedures are expected to notably contribute toward the growth of the global surgical microscope market during the forecast period.
The development of innovative microscopes continues as the need to replace conventional methods of imaging arises. A team of researchers from the Columbia University developed a microscope that can provide real-time imaging and replace the conventional biopsy. They developed MediSCAPE, a high-speed 3D microscope that takes images of structures of tissues and helps surgeons in gaining access to tumors and their boundaries. This microscope will eliminate the need to wait for days for results based on biopsy. This microscope will provide a real-time feedback and help doctors in taking rapid decisions about the tumors that need to be cut. When it comes to precious tissues such as spinal cord, brain, eyes, and others, it is difficult to make a decision for doctors regarding cutting tissues. This microscope will provide rapid feedback and ease up the identification of tissues for cutting.
COVID-19 Impact
Coronavirus (COVID-19) was discovered in late December in Hubei province of Wuhan city in China. The disease is caused by a virus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is transmitted from humans to humans.
Key Market Players
- Alltion (Wuzhou) Co., Ltd.
- Haag-Streit U.S.
- Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
- Olympus Corporation
- Leica Microsystem GmbH
- ARRI AG
- Carl Zeiss
- global surgical corporation
- Topcon Medical Systems, Inc.
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