Ultrasound and 3D planning to enhance surgical training

New ultrasound and 3D surgical planning technology to enhance education and research

Imaging specialist Fujifilm Healthcare Europe and the research and training institute IRCAD France have announced a collaboration focused on surgical education and research programs.

The partnership will involve the company providing ultrasound technology and 3D surgical planning tools, including its Synapse 3D software, to support IRCAD's educational initiatives. The collaboration aims to advance the use of image-guided solutions in minimally invasive surgery. The partnership will develop educational programs for intraoperative ultrasound and image-guided surgical techniques, targeting surgeons across Europe and internationally. These programs will be available through both in-person and online formats.

As the field of surgery is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques, we look forward to developing new solutions in the ultrasound field together, using our shared knowledge and expertise
Takemasa Kojima

The educational initiatives will provide surgeons with access to advanced ultrasound technology, enhanced anatomical visualization, and 3D planning software to support skill development and knowledge of current surgical techniques. Fujifilm brings imaging technology experience developed over 90 years into this collaboration, while IRCAD contributes its expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery research and training. IRCAD, established in 1994 within the University of Strasbourg, operates internationally recognized research and educational programs. The collaboration will enable surgeon feedback to inform future development of Fujifilm's ultrasound products, with the goal of creating clinician-informed technology solutions.

The partnership will focus on developing initiatives to support surgical workflow optimization and safety in minimally invasive procedures. This includes exploring applications of artificial intelligence and risk mitigation strategies in surgical practice. "This collaboration with Fujifilm marks a major step forward, not only in the training of surgeons and interventional radiologists, but also in the development of ambitious joint research and innovation projects," said Professor Jacques Marescaux, Founding President of IRCAD. "Together, we will explore new ways to enhance surgical education and clinical practice through state-of-the-art tools and platforms such as the 3D planning software system, which will enable thousands of surgeons trained at IRCAD to rehearse procedures on a digital twin of the organ before operating on real patients."

"We are delighted to collaborate with the world-renowned IRCAD team in Europe. At Fujifilm, research and education have always been a driving force behind the advancement of our new inventions. We are proud to begin this important collaboration with IRCAD, offering an opportunity to develop our solutions with a leading institute for surgical innovation, an organisation where knowledge and research are highly valued in the development process," said Takemasa Kojima, Managing Director of Fujifilm Healthcare Europe. "As an affiliate of a major manufacturer of medical technologies, it is inherently valuable to collaborate with experts in the field who are using medical technologies in their daily work. Understanding how our solutions are used in practice provides a learning opportunity for us to improve our products and serve our customers better. As the field of surgery is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques, we look forward to developing new solutions in the ultrasound field together, using the shared knowledge and expertise between Fujifilm Healthcare Europe and IRCAD."

Source: Fujifilm Healthcare Europe

15.09.2025