Munich Surgical Imaging (MSI) has developed SeeLuma™, a fully digital 3D surgical microscope featuring the world‘s first digital binoculars – an innovation that redefines ergonomics and image quality in eye  surgery. Equally, it is a perfect example of WILD Group‘s ability to reliably bring extremely complex optical systems to serial maturity.

A surgical microscope that frees the mind: with the first-ever digital binoculars, an intuitive user interface and a design that enables surgeons to view the monitor straight ahead of them, SeeLuma™ heralds a completely new way of working. The difference to analogue – or the more popular hybrid – models is stunning: in the latter, optical and stationary binoculars force operators to constantly adapt to their position. ”In contrast, the digital binoculars by SeeLuma™ display their image on a monitor that can be flexibly positioned. The result: surgeons can operate in an upright, natural position without having to constantly move their heads. This makes SeeLuma™ a true game-changer in eye surgery“, explains Dr. Jurek Nordmeyer-Maßner of MSI. In addition to the ergonomics, this fully digital microscope offers amazing image quality. Its high focus depth helps reduce constant refocusing, while digital processing improves both colour accuracy and contrast. Surgeons can display additional information  directly in their field of view, enhance contrasts or use picture-in-picture features.

NEXT INCREMENT TO INCLUDE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) UNIT
”This microscope offers a platform for the integration of various future technologies, including AI-based features. Another exciting add-on is the intraoperative OCT module integrated in SeeLumaTM, which offers the distinctive high image quality typical for Heidelberg Engineering“, Benedikt Wurm explains. MSI expects the module to be certified in early 2026. By having an OCT  feature in their field of view, surgeons will be able to assess tissue layers in almost histological quality as they operate. This advantage will set new standards.

SeeLuma™ is considered a technological milestone, not least because of the close collaboration between MSI and the WILD Group. WILD has been involved in the project since the beginning of its industrial scaling in 2019 and played a significant role in the conception and design of the system‘s centrepiece: the optical block. ”Implementing the optical design only became possible because of the high manufacturing expertise we provide. Skills like alignment turning, combined with our experience in handling highly complex optical assemblies are at the foundation of the system‘s success“ says Manfred Gallé, Head of the Medical  Technology Business Unit. WILD‘s contributions included the assembly and adjustment concept, including the design and construction of the device required for its implementation. “SeeLuma™ is one of the most technically demanding facilities we have built in recent years. It many respects, it is a product situated in the high-level segment, from the complexity of the entire system and the required cleanliness and precision to the necessary surface engineering and assembly know-how. Therefore, we are all the more proud that our experienced team supplies the entire surgical microscope – including electronics, all adjustments, the stand and – in future – the OCT unit as well“, says a pleased WILD Group CTO Wolfgang Warum.

LIGHTING: ACHIEVING PRECISION UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
PHOTONIC was entrusted with the manufacturing of an equally demanding part of the microscope: the lighting unit. ”One of the greatest challenges was the small and complex installation space“, Managing Director Stefan Zotter explains. ”Here, thermal management proved to be a central issue. It was extremely difficult to accommodate the optical system within the available space without making compromises with regard to performance.“ Another decisive factor was the dynamic range required for surgical interventions. Though conventional continuous-wave (cw) setups deliver a constant camera image, they result in a drift in colour rendering and colour temperature of the LED. This can be solved by using pulse-width modulation (PWM). ”According to this method, the LED is rapidly turned on and off at high frequency, regulating the averaged intensity with the on/off period. The  colour rendering values remain constant as a result. This method, however, may cause irritating image artefacts to appear on the camera. Therefore, we opted for a solution involving a hybrid combination of cw and PWM, which we carefully adjusted to the entire system. We thus managed to reach the necessary brightness with a stable colour rendering, and without disturbing effects.

A third, central issue is the topic of safety. Because the light is emitted directly into the human eye, the energy supplied must not exceed the defined thresholds. PHOTONIC therefore integrated a monitoring unit which permanently controls output and adjustment, thus ensuring compliance with medical standards.

FDA AND MDR COMPLIANT DOCUMENTATION
Another reason why MSI opted for the WILD Group as a partner: ”Our processes are both FDA and MDR compliant, and we supply all required documents in coordination with the customer“, says Manfred Gallé. Moreover, our expertise in industrial engineering ensures that the system can be continuously developed and improved. The SeeLuma™ devices are currently being completely assembled and tested at WILD‘s sites. They are subsequently shipped to MSI, where they are prepared for final configuration. Since its introduction in 2023, SeeLumaTM has been met with great interest. The response to the planned OCT unit is particularly strong. The platform has managed to prove that purely digital microscopes can replace hybrid systems. At the same time, it is becoming evident that innovation power and manufacturing competence are closely interlinked: MSI as the developer with a clinical focus and the WILD Group as the technology partner with the process and production strength to master the step toward industrial reality.

”This product is the quintessential example of what we stand for: We accompany customers from the first idea through industrial scaling to serial production“, summarises Manfred Gallé. The entire value chain – optics assembly, lighting, electronics, software integration and quality assurance – comes from a single source.