In a significant advancement for minimally invasive surgery, Royal Philips has announced the expanded commercial rollout of a groundbreaking medical imaging system. The company is making its LumiGuide 3D Device Guidance technology available across Europe and the United States.
A Breakthrough in Radiation-Free Surgical Guidance
Philips describes LumiGuide as the world's first real-time AI-enabled light-based 3D navigation solution for image-guided therapy. This represents a paradigm shift from traditional methods that rely on continuous X-ray exposure, known as fluoroscopy, to visualize medical devices inside a patient's body during procedures.
Instead of X-rays, the LumiGuide system uses light to track the shape and position of specialized guidewires and catheters. This technology, powered by Philips' proprietary Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) platform, reflects light along an optical fiber integrated into the surgical tools. It then generates high-resolution, full-color 3D images that physicians can view from any angle in real time.
Enhancing Precision and Safety in Complex Procedures
The primary benefits of this innovation are increased precision and a dramatic reduction in radiation exposure for both patients and clinical staff. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role by quickly aligning the device images with the patient's pre-operative anatomical scans.
According to clinical data cited by Philips, using LumiGuide can make complex surgeries, such as aortic repairs, 37% faster. Perhaps more importantly, it can achieve a reduction in radiation dose (DAP) of up to 56%. The system is designed to integrate seamlessly with Philips' established Azurion image-guided therapy platform.
"I have done over 160 fenestrated and branched aortic procedures with LumiGuide and have found that the system improves efficiency, reduces the procedure time, and reduces time on the fluoroscopy pedal to near zero," said Dr. Adam W. Beck, Professor and Director of the Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Future of Image-Guided Therapy
The wider commercial availability, first announced at the RSNA 2025 medical conference, marks a key step in Philips' long-term strategy to improve radiation safety in interventional medicine. LumiGuide joins a growing suite of AI-enabled tools on the Azurion platform, which aims to redefine how clinicians plan and perform intricate procedures with greater confidence.
By replacing ionizing radiation with light for device navigation, Philips is addressing a persistent concern in fields like endovascular surgery, where both patients and medical teams face cumulative radiation risks from lengthy, complex operations. This expansion signals a move toward more intelligent and safer supportive technologies in operating rooms and cath labs worldwide.
