Intracavity Illuminator Provides Superior In-Situ Visualization

A universal, “drop in” illuminator addresses the inherent challenges of minimal access surgery (MIS) and helps improve outcomes.

The Invuity Waveguide XT System is based on intelligent photonics technology to deliver detailed visualization of tissue planes, critical structures, and anatomical landmarks, which enables surgeons to perform MIS spine procedures more easily and safely. The technology incorporates an advanced optical waveguide with a complex geometry of integrated refractive microstructures, as well as a micro-lens array that both directs and shapes the illumination within the surgical cavity.


The technology projects thermally cool, brilliant light to volumetrically illuminate deep surgical cavities, providing high-quality visualization while virtually eliminating shadows, glare, and thermal hazards. For spinal procedures, the system can be placed into the disc space without altering or affecting instrument placement or changing standard procedures, delivering omnidirectional light evenly throughout the working area. The Invuity Waveguide XT System is a product of Invuity (San Francisco, CA, USA).

“The rapid shift toward minimal access procedures has advanced patient outcomes. However, an unintended consequence of this evolution is that it has decreased the surgeon’s most important sense—vision,” said Philip Sawyer, CEO of Invuity. “The Waveguide XT System is the latest device in our growing photonics-based portfolio designed to bring back this critical sense. In the future, our technology platform will continue to expand into additional modalities to address some of the most significant unmet clinical needs in minimal access surgery.”

“One of the unique benefits of Invuity’s Waveguide XT System is that it can be strategically placed within the incision to direct and shape the illumination deep into the disc space, providing startlingly clear visualization without the risk of thermal tissue damage,” said neurosurgeon Warren Neely, MD, of Christus Santa Rosa Health System (San Antonio, TX, USA). “With this innovative drop-in device, surgeons benefit from superior visualization without altering their standard surgical technique or instrumentation.”

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