What is Cellvizio?
Cellvizio — formally confocal laser endomicroscopy — is like a tiny, very powerful camera on the end of a standard endoscope. Developed by Mauna Kea Technologies, it works with existing endoscopy equipment to examine tissue at the cellular level without removing it.
A harmless, low-power laser is shone onto the tissue and the reflected light is turned into live, high-resolution microscopic images on a monitor — all without radiation.
Key features
- Real-time microscopic “optical biopsy” images
- Works through the channel of a standard endoscope
- AI-assisted analysis to help spot abnormal cells
- Integrates easily with existing endoscopy systems
What it is used for
Cellvizio assists diagnosis across several specialties: in gastroenterology (for example monitoring Barrett's oesophagus and examining polyps or pancreatic cysts), in pulmonology (suspicious lung nodules) and in urology (bladder and ureter lesions).
Good to know
Cellvizio adds only a few minutes to a standard endoscopy, so preparation and recovery are the same as for that procedure, and it has no known specific side effects. By showing cells in real time it can speed up diagnosis, target biopsies precisely and sometimes avoid unnecessary ones.
