Minimally invasive surgery — operating through incisions of just about one centimeter using long, slender instruments combined with a video imaging system — is becoming increasingly common and offers major benefits for patients (less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times). Precision and visibility during such procedures are crucial, since the surgeon operates without the sense of touch and without direct vision. The challenge is therefore to enhance and refine vision as much as possible via the video screen. AstraNICE addresses this need.

The fluorescent coating developed by AstraNICE, applied to surgical tools and devices (e.g., endoscopic clips, catheters, needles, gauzes…), significantly increases their visibility during minimally invasive interventions. By making instruments luminous and easily identifiable — even through tissues and mucous membranes (up to 0.5 cm deep) — the AstraNICE fluorescent coating enables surgeons to improve the precision and efficiency of their procedures.

The benefits are multiple:

• Better delineation of tumors, allowing complete resection

• Avoiding injury to critical organs (e.g., ureter, urethra) located near the surgical site

• Reducing risks and operative or post-operative complications (notably by shortening hospitalization time)