SPY imaging in minimally invasive surgery

SPY Increases Confidence in Minimally Invasive Procedures 

One of the most significant developments in surgery over the past few decades has been a shift towards minimally invasive procedures. This change in methodology has been driven by the associated reduction in trauma to the patient from smaller incisions, which results in shorter hospital stays and reduced recovery times. One major obstacle of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the lack of visibility to the area being operated on. While imaging scopes are continually improving, none have been able to offer angiographic image functionality along with high definition white light until now.

The Endoscopic SPY Imaging System replaces the rigid endoscopes commonly used in endoscopic and single port surgeries performed today. In addition to providing the typical images obtained through a conventional endoscope, SPY scope enables surgeons performing minimally invasive procedures to visualize blood flow in vessels and microvessels, tissue and organ perfusion, lymphatics, tumors and tumor margins in real-time in the operating room.

SPY scope also offers surgeons the unique ability to view images in an "overlay" mode, which displays a combined visible and fluorescence image. The overlay mode allows surgeons to clearly visualize both anatomical structures and physiologic information in a single image - which has been described as the best of both worlds. The overlay mode can act as a surgical map allowing the surgeon to clearly identify nodes and leaks while still remaining keenly aware of anatomical orientation.

By providing clinically relevant anatomic and physiologic information simultaneously and in real-time, SPY scope can equip surgeons performing MIS procedures with the information they need to make critical decisions in the operating room. SPY scope can increase surgeon confidence in performing MIS and may reduce the potential for costly complications such as anastomotic leakage, incomplete margin resection and organ and tissue trauma. Reductions in these costly complications may also reduce operative times and eliminate the need for return to surgery.