Surgical medical operations have advanced beyond recognition over the last two centuries. From the pioneering days of anaesthesia in 1846 to the discovery of antibiotics like penicillin in 1928, and now the integration of AI-assisted robotic techniques, medical advancements have helped increase survival rates, both during and post-surgery. However, even today, unknown complications can occur during an operation which sometimes end in a tragic outcome. To address this, HoloCare is heading the HoloSurge project, which aims to enhance success rates for patients undergoing liver and pancreatic cancer surgery by leveraging innovative technology and multidisciplinary approaches.
HoloSurge, a consortium comprising 14 European technology and healthcare leaders, is celebrating a monumental achievement as it clinches one of the largest research and innovation grants in recent EU history. This remarkable feat underscores the consortium’s commitment to advancing surgical practices and improving patient outcomes through innovative hologram technology.
The €8.9 million grant awarded by Horizon Europe marks a significant milestone in the quest to revolutionise surgical practices. With a focus on fostering collaboration among European scientific leaders, the grant heralds a new era of innovation and progress in healthcare delivery, transcending geographical boundaries and national affiliations.
A breakthrough in surgical precision
The cornerstone of the project lies in leveraging HoloCare’s interactive 3D organ hologram technology to enhance surgical planning and execution. By harnessing the power of holographic imagery, surgeons gain unparalleled insights into patients’ unique anatomical structures, facilitating informed decision-making and precise surgical interventions.
About HoloCare
HoloCare is a pioneering Norwegian health-tech startup dedicated to revolutionising surgical planning and patient care through interactive 3D hologram technology. By seamlessly integrating holographic imagery into clinical workflows, HoloCare empowers clinicians to make informed decisions and deliver precision-driven surgical interventions. HoloCare’s mixed reality clinical tools are currently used in hospitals across the UK and Europe.
Transformative impact on surgical efficiency
Pioneering trials conducted with HoloCare’s augmented reality (AR) images have yielded promising results, demonstrating a staggering 74% reduction in the time required to align organs during liver surgeries compared to conventional MRI scans. This significant improvement not only streamlines surgical procedures but also minimises the risk of complications, enhancing patient safety and recovery.
Empowering clinicians with cutting-edge tools
HoloCare’s innovative technology seamlessly transforms 2D medical images into interactive 3D holograms. The company’s mixed reality clinical tools, born out of a collaboration between Oslo University Hospital and Sopra Steria, empower clinicians to plan and prepare for complex operations with unprecedented precision and efficiency.
Driving innovation for global impact
Over the next four years, the HoloSurge consortium will spearhead efforts to integrate hologram technology into existing surgical workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance, clinical validation, and technical optimisation. Through strategic partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations, the consortium aims to usher in a paradigm shift in surgical precision and patient care on a global scale.
Quotes from key stakeholders
Prof. David Jayne, University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: “The HoloCare technology is an exciting advance in how we treat cancer patients with the potential to transform surgical care. The superior anatomical knowledge gained from the technology will enable more precise surgery with better cancer outcomes for patients”.
Dr Thomas Lango, St. Olavs Hospital and SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway: “The fusion of available data sources (CT, MR, ultrasound) into holograms made available for clinicians in minimally invasive procedures like laparoscopic surgery and flexible endoscopy will change the way clinicians work in the future. It will empower clinicians to navigate intricate anatomical landscapes with unprecedented precision and 3D understanding not readily available from traditional cross sectional 2D images. The HoloCare technology promises to not only improve image-guided medical procedures, but also collaboration and training of new experts.”
Jahn Otto, Innovation Director at HoloCare: “Innovation has long been the foundation for prosperity in Europe, from the breakthroughs improving healthcare to the technological advances growing our economy.”
“The HoloSurge partnership stands as a testament to this, aiming to transform the surgical outcomes of individuals worldwide.”
