In the operating room of the future, cables may well disappear entirely. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut are working with partners on an innovative solution in which medical imaging no longer relies on traditional cabling, but on light.
As part of the OWIMED project, they have developed a prototype of a wireless endoscope that transmits images from the abdominal cavity in real time using so-called LiFi technology. This development could represent a significant step towards improving efficiency, hygiene and ergonomics in the operating room.
Wireless operating room
Endoscopes are an essential part of modern minimally invasive surgery. Traditionally, these devices are connected to monitors and hospital systems via multiple cables: for lighting, power supply and data transmission. In practice, this often leads to a tangle of cables around the operating table.
This cabling is not only cumbersome but also a hygiene concern. Cables must be covered and can both hinder surgeons’ work and complicate the cleaning of the operating room. At the same time, wireless alternatives based on radio technology, such as Wi-Fi, do not appear to meet the stringent requirements of medical practice, particularly in terms of reliability, security and latency.
That is why the research is focusing on an alternative: wireless communication via light, or LiFi (Light Fidelity). This technology uses modulated LED light to transmit data. Because light propagates only locally and does not pass through walls, it offers inherent advantages in terms of security and interference.
LiFi as an alternative
As part of the OWIMED project (Optical Wireless Communication for Medical Imaging Devices), researchers developed an endoscope in which both the light source and the data communication are fully integrated. The endoscope is equipped with an LED light source and a battery-powered LiFi module that optically transmits the image data to the surrounding area.
These signals are received via LiFi modules built into the operating lights above the operating table. Thanks to the direct line of sight between the endoscope and the light, a stable connection is established, allowing 4K-quality images to be transmitted to a monitor without any noticeable delay.
The technology works by rapidly modulating LED light, switching the light on and off at a frequency invisible to the human eye. A photodiode captures these light pulses and converts them into electrical signals. The connection is also bidirectional, allowing healthcare professionals to adjust the endoscope’s settings directly from the monitor.
Practical tests in the operating room
A key part of the project was close collaboration with clinical partners, including St. Joseph Krankenhaus Berlin-Tempelhof. Surgical teams were involved in the development from the outset and provided continuous feedback on technical choices.
The prototype of the wireless endoscope was ultimately tested in a realistic operating room environment using a medical simulator. The tests focused on crucial factors such as latency, reliability, data throughput, light quality and ergonomics.
According to the researchers, the results are promising. The LiFi solution proved to be stable and fast enough for use during surgical procedures. The user experience was also rated positively by the healthcare professionals involved. In future applications, they even prefer this wireless variant over traditional wired systems.
Making healthcare more flexible
The development of wireless medical equipment fits within a broader trend towards the digitalisation and flexibilisation of the healthcare environment. By integrating technology more intelligently into existing infrastructure, such as surgical lights, there is scope for more efficient working and improved patient safety.
Although further development and certification are required before the technology can be widely implemented, the project demonstrates that innovative communication methods such as LiFi represent a serious alternative to existing systems. The operating room of the future thus appears not only smarter, but also more organised and safer, with fewer cables and more space for care.
AI endoscope
Last year, German researchers developed an innovative endoscope that combines laser and imaging technology with artificial intelligence. This AI-driven endoscope enables surgeons to accurately identify and remove tumour tissue in real time during operations, whilst sparing healthy tissue as much as possible.
The technology uses advanced optical methods to analyse the chemical and structural properties of tissue, without the use of dyes. A unique feature is the integration of diagnosis and treatment into a single system, in which a femtosecond laser directly removes the diseased tissue. Preclinical tests show an accuracy of 96 per cent. This reduces the likelihood of follow-up operations and improves recovery prospects, benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals.
