Skip to content

Surgical vision · Technology

Surgical technology, clearly explained

Understand the science behind the image, the working space and the instrument. Know what to look for before choosing a surgical system.

Explore the technology
  1. 01Optical technology and endoscopes
  2. 02Four-chip ICG camera system
  3. 03Colour, ICG and fluorescence
  4. 04ICG light source and wavelengths
  5. 05How fluorescence works
  6. 06How an insufflator works
  7. 07Surgical fluid pumps
  8. 08Electrosurgery and electrocautery
  9. 09Ultrasonic and harmonic technology

01 · Optical engineering

Optical technology and endoscopes

Two light paths. One surgical view.

A clear surgical image starts with the scope, not only the monitor. Light from the source travels down the scope to the tissue. Reflected light returns through the lens system to the camera. The scope's angle sets where it looks; its field of view sets how much it sees.

Illumination
Light travels towards tissue
Image relay
Reflected light returns to the camera
Viewing angle
Direction of view ≠ field of view

Related products

01 · Optical engineering

Light paths in a rigid endoscopeLight enters the scope from the light guide and travels to the tissue. Reflected light returns through the scope to the camera. At the tip, a cone shows the field of view, and a dotted line inside it shows the direction of view, tilted from the scope's axis.CAMERALIGHT INILLUMINATIONIMAGE RELAY
  • Illumination
  • Image relay
  • Direction of view
  • Field of view
Working principle · simplified diagram.

02 · Camera and signal chain

Four-chip ICG camera system

Sensor count is only the beginning.

Understand sensor design, image processing and fluorescence compatibility. The four chips are four image sensors. 4K describes the resolution of the image, not the number of sensors. Detecting ICG fluorescence is a separate requirement again.

4 chips
Number of image sensors
4K
Image resolution, not sensor count
NIR
A separate spectral requirement

Related products

02 · Camera and signal chain

Signal chain of a four-chip cameraLight passes through a lens into optics that divide it between four image sensors. The four sensor signals go to a processor, which outputs one 4K image to the display.OPTICS1234PROCESSOR4K4 SENSORSDISPLAY
Simplified signal chain. Sensor arrangement depends on the camera design.

03 · Multimodal visualisation

Colour, ICG and fluorescence

See anatomy. Then add another signal.

Different views answer different questions. White light shows anatomy in colour. The NIR view shows only the detected fluorescence signal. The overlay places that signal over the colour view, so both read on one screen.

White light
Anatomical colour context
NIR view
Detected fluorescence signal
Overlay
Signal placed over the colour view

Related products

03 · Multimodal visualisation

White light, NIR view and overlayThree panels of the same field. White light shows anatomy. The NIR view shows only the detected fluorescence signal, in green, on a dark background. The overlay places the green signal over the anatomy.WHITE LIGHTNIR VIEWOVERLAY
  • Detected fluorescence signal
Illustration, not a surgical image.

04 · Spectral compatibility

ICG light source and wavelengths

Excite one band. Detect another.

Excitation and detection are two different parts of the optical system. The light source excites the agent; the camera detects what it emits. The source, light cable, scope and detector must be matched to the same bands.

805 nm
ICG absorption peak*
830 nm
ICG emission peak*
Matched optics
Source + cable + scope + detector

Note*805 nm and 830 nm are protein-bound ICG reference peaks. These are not LED output specifications.

Related products

04 · Spectral compatibility

Two light sources combined into one light pathA white LED shines through a collection lens. An infrared LED below shines upward through its own lens. A dichroic combiner joins the two beams into one path, which a focus lens directs into the light guide.WHITE LEDLENSIR LEDLENSDICHROIC COMBINERFOCUS LENSLIGHT GUIDE
ICG reference peaks on a wavelength scaleA wavelength scale from 700 to 950 nanometres. A blue marker at 805 nm shows the ICG absorption peak. A green marker at 830 nm shows the ICG emission peak.700750800850900950805 nm ABSORPTION*830 nm EMISSION*
  • White light
  • Near-infrared
  • ICG emission
Optical principle · actual design may vary. Lenses collect and focus light; the dichroic optic combines the spectral bands. IR is invisible; the dashed line represents its path.

05 · The science of fluorescence

How fluorescence works

Absorb energy. Emit a new signal.

Fluorescence makes an otherwise invisible optical signal visible on screen. A molecule absorbs a photon and rises to a higher energy state. It loses some energy without emitting light, then emits a photon of lower energy. Filters separate that emitted light from the light that excited it.

Excitation
A photon supplies energy
Relaxation
Some energy is lost without light
Emission
A lower-energy photon is emitted

Related products

05 · The science of fluorescence

Energy levels in fluorescenceTwo bands of energy levels, ground at the bottom and excited at the top. A blue arrow rises from ground to the top of the excited band: excitation. A short wavy line drops within the excited band: relaxation without light. A green arrow falls from the excited band to ground: emission of a lower-energy photon.EXCITEDGROUNDEXCITATIONRELAXATIONEMISSION
  • Absorption
  • Non-radiative relaxation
  • Fluorescence
Energy levels, not anatomy.

Agents and light

Three fluorescence combinations, not one feature

NIR / ICG

A signal beyond visible light.

Near-infrared describes a wavelength range. ICG is a fluorescent agent that can be excited and detected within that range. Depending on the authorised application, it can support visualisation of perfusion or anatomical structures.

  1. NIR excitation
  2. ICG fluorescence
  3. Filtered camera
  4. Display overlay

Protein-bound ICG has reference absorption and emission peaks near 805 and 830 nm. These are not universal camera or LED specifications.

IC-GREEN prescribing information (opens in a new tab)

Blue-light fluorescence

Visible excitation. A different signal.

In blue-light cystoscopy, hexaminolevulinate supports the formation of fluorescent porphyrins in tissue. With suitable blue-light illumination and filters, fluorescence appears red against the blue background.

  1. Blue excitation
  2. Porphyrin fluorescence
  3. Filtered view
  4. White-light review

This is used alongside—not instead of—white-light examination. False signals and missed lesions remain possible. Other blue-light applications require their own agent and system assessment.

CYSVIEW mechanism and precautions (opens in a new tab)

CYTALUX® / pafolacianine

Targeted molecular fluorescence.

CYTALUX is a folate-receptor-targeted optical imaging agent, not a light colour or camera mode. A compatible NIR system detects its fluorescence during specified surgical applications.

  1. Targeted agent
  2. NIR excitation
  3. Compatible detector
  4. Surgeon interpretation

Its US label covers adjunctive identification of malignant ovarian lesions and malignant or non-malignant pulmonary lesions in adults with known or suspected lung cancer. Fluorescence alone does not establish malignancy.

CYTALUX prescribing information (opens in a new tab)

These are different agent–illumination–detector combinations, not interchangeable features. Spectra’s ICG capability does not establish support for blue-light agents or CYTALUX. Confirm the exact device, agent, intended use and local approvals. Fluorescence supplements clinical assessment; it does not replace it.

06 · Pressure and flow control

How an insufflator works

Maintain working space, not just flow.

Controlled gas delivery creates and maintains the laparoscopic working space. The surgeon sets a target pressure. The controller regulates CO₂ flow as conditions in the abdomen change.

Pressure
Measured in mmHg
Flow
Delivered volume per minute
Feedback
Regulation as conditions change

NoteTubing, filters and ports affect delivery.

Related products

06 · Pressure and flow control

Insufflator gas pathway and feedbackCO2 supply feeds a controller, which drives gas delivery into the working space. Pressure feedback from the working space returns to the controller.CO₂ SUPPLYCONTROLLERGASDELIVERYWORKINGSPACEPRESSURE FEEDBACK*
  • Gas pathway
  • Pressure feedback*
Working principle · simplified diagram. *Sensing and estimation depend on the system design.

07 · Fluid management

Surgical fluid pumps

The displayed pressure needs context.

Manage irrigation and visualisation with the right system for the procedure. The pump supplies fluid to the field; outflow and suction remove fluid and debris. The pressure on the display depends on how and where the system measures it.

Inflow
Fluid supplied to the field
Outflow
Fluid and debris removed
Site pressure
Depends on measurement method

NoteOutflow and suction also affect site conditions.

Related products

07 · Fluid management

Fluid pump pathway and feedbackFluid supply feeds a pump, which drives inflow regulation into the working space. Pressure feedback from the working space returns to the pump.FLUIDSUPPLYPUMPINFLOWREGULATIONWORKINGSPACEPRESSURE FEEDBACK*
  • Fluid pathway
  • Pressure feedback*
Working principle · simplified diagram. *Sensing and estimation depend on the system design.

08 · Radiofrequency energy

Electrosurgery and electrocautery

Understand the complete current path.

Know which energy pathway the instrument uses. In monopolar use, current runs from the active electrode through the patient to a separate return electrode. In bipolar use, both electrodes are on the instrument, so the circuit is local to the tissue between them. Electrocautery uses a heated tip and is not the same circuit.

Monopolar
Separate patient return electrode
Bipolar
Two electrodes on the instrument
Electrocautery
A heated tip, not the same circuit

Related products

08 · Radiofrequency energy

Monopolar and bipolar circuitsLeft, monopolar: current flows from the generator to an active electrode, through the patient, to a separate return electrode and back to the generator. Right, bipolar: current flows from the generator to electrode A, through the tissue held between the jaws, to electrode B and back.GENERATORPATIENTRETURN ELECTRODEMONOPOLARGENERATORABTISSUEBIPOLAR
  • Current path
Working principle · simplified diagram.

09 · Mechanical energy

Ultrasonic and harmonic technology

Electrical input. A vibrating blade.

Mechanical vibration provides another way to cut and coagulate tissue. A piezoelectric transducer converts electrical energy into vibration, a waveguide carries it along the shaft, and the blade creates the tissue effect.

Transducer
Converts electrical energy
Waveguide
Transfers mechanical vibration
Blade
Creates the tissue effect

NoteMechanical vibration is not heat-free.

09 · Mechanical energy

Ultrasonic energy pathA generator sends electrical energy to a piezoelectric transducer in the handpiece. The transducer vibrates, a waveguide carries the vibration along the shaft, and the blade at the tip moves back and forth.GENERATORTRANSDUCERWAVEGUIDEBLADEMOTION
  • Electrical input
  • Mechanical vibration
Working principle · simplified diagram.

Before you choose

For healthcare professionals. Confirm device compatibility, intended use, reprocessing and local approvals. Follow current device instructions and appropriate training.

Sources are linked in each guide. Manufacturer examples do not establish UnivLabs specifications or imply affiliation.

See the imaging modes on a Spectra suite

Our team can show white light, ICG overlay and NIR views, and answer questions on compatibility.

Request a demoAll products