What if surgical data cables were replaced by invisible light communication, changing how future operating rooms handle imaging and equipment?
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications HHI, in collaboration with IT Concepts GmbH and St. Joseph Krankenhaus Berlin Tempelhof, have developed a prototype endoscope under the OWIMED project that uses LiFi technology to transmit high resolution surgical video without relying on physical data cables.
The system is designed to solve a long standing challenge in operating rooms, where conventional endoscopes require multiple cables for lighting, power, and video transmission. These cables often create clutter around the patient, complicate sterilization, and restrict movement for surgical staff. By replacing wired connections with optical wireless communication, the researchers aim to streamline surgical environments while improving hygiene and operational efficiency.
Unlike standard wireless systems that use radio frequencies, the new approach relies on modulated LED light to carry data. This LiFi based method enables high speed, low latency communication with reduced interference risk in sensitive medical environments. The endoscope integrates a battery powered LED light source and compact LiFi modules capable of transmitting 4K video to receivers embedded in surgical lighting systems positioned above the operating table.
Optical wireless communication (LiFi) ensures robust data transfer from the endoscope to the monitor even under adverse conditions.
The system also supports bidirectional communication, allowing surgeons to adjust camera settings in real time from the control interface. The LiFi modules are designed for stable hemispherical coverage, ensuring consistent data transmission even under changing operating room conditions.
Anagnostis Paraskevopoulos, a research scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, who leads the project, says, “Our wireless endoscope eliminates this problem. We integrate the optical light source in the form of an LED directly in the endoscope, which is battery-operated. We also include a battery-operated LiFi module in the endoscope, which transmits the data optically to the OR-environment and to the monitor. This only requires a few additional LiFi modules on the surgical light above the operating table.”
