HiLight Surgical provides a fiber‑optic fluorescence lifetime imaging platform that delivers label‑free, real‑time tissue classification using on‑device AI/ML. The system integrates with existing endoscopic or laparoscopic video feeds via HDMI/DICOM to overlay margin status, enabling surgeons to adjust resections intraoperatively without contrast agents.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Surgeons often rely on frozen‑section pathology or postoperative histology to confirm tumor margins, which introduces delays, increases operative time, and may miss residual cancer cells intraoperatively. The lack of rapid, label‑free tissue characterization can lead to higher rates of positive surgical margins and subsequent recurrence.
Solution
HiLight Surgical delivers a fiber‑optic imaging platform that captures label‑free fluorescence lifetime signals from excised or in‑situ tissue and processes them with on‑device AI/ML models to classify cancerous versus healthy tissue in real time. The system can function as a standalone console or integrate with existing endoscopic or laparoscopic visualization tools via standard video or DICOM interfaces. By providing instantaneous margin feedback, the platform enables surgeons to adjust resections on the spot, reducing the need for repeat biopsies or secondary procedures. The workflow is designed for point‑of‑care use, requiring no exogenous dyes and minimal operator training, which streamlines the surgical pathway and lowers overall procedural costs. Secure cloud connectivity allows aggregated data to improve model performance while maintaining patient privacy.
Target Audience
Primary users are oncologic surgeons—such as urologists, colorectal, breast, and thoracic specialists—who require intraoperative margin assessment, as well as hospital operating‑room teams seeking to streamline pathology workflows.
Features
- Fiber‑optic probe delivering high‑resolution fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) without contrast agents
- Embedded AI/ML inference engine that classifies tissue types with sub‑second latency
- Real‑time visual overlay of margin status on existing endoscopic or laparoscopic video feeds via HDMI/DICOM output
- Stand‑alone touchscreen console with configurable acquisition parameters and automated quality checks
- API‑based integration layer for seamless connection to OR imaging suites and hospital information systems
- Low‑cost, disposable probe tip designed for single‑use or rapid sterilization cycles
- HIPAA‑compliant data encryption and audit logging for all transmitted imaging and analysis results
- Continuous model refinement through optional secure cloud analytics platform