In November 2012, Canon entered into collaborative research agreements with Massachusetts General Hospital, and Brigham & Women’s Hospital to develop biomedical optical imaging and medical robotics technologies. This collaboration lead to the opening of the Healthcare Optics Research Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts in June 2013. The research laboratory is approximately 13,600 square feet and is the home of skilled employees dedicated to developing biomedical optical imaging and medical robotics technologies with the ultimate goal of bringing medical devices to market for a variety of applications. The areas that the technology will address include: Image Guided Therapy Miniature Endoscopic Imaging Functional Imaging Image Guided Therapy: Our research in image guided therapy includes, a robotic device for guidance of percutaneous interventions of abdominal and thoracic cavity, and a combination of targeted agent delivery and image guided platform to improve treatment efficacy. One application, among many others, for our robotic device is image-guided cryotherapy of kidney cancer. Miniature Endoscopic Imaging: This project is focused on developing an ultra thin, human hair size, high resolution endoscope that will produce three dimensional images, while enabling direct visualization of 'hard to see' anatomies. This technology allows to control and navigate, on demand, an endoscope tethered to a console for application in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and laryngoscopy. Functional Imaging: An advanced imaging system and arterial catheter that enables accurate diagnosis and longitudinal management of coronary artery disease. Basic principle relies on expanding the scope of imaging from three dimensional structural information to molecular and mechanical properties of coronary plaques. Healthcare Optics Research Laboratory, Canon U.S.A. is working in conjunction with its parent company, Canon Inc.
