Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Engineering GmbH and RetInSight GmbH intend to interface the RetInSight AI-based fluid monitor application with the Heidelberg Engineering product portfolio, using cloud exchange and application marketplace technologies. Both companies see great potential in the combination of RetInSight’s AI expertise with Heidelberg Engineering’s high-quality images and data management experience.

RetInSight utilizes a novel, proprietary algorithm, that supports the detection, localization and quantification of intra- and subretinal fluid in OCT images in an accurate and reliable manner¹. The fluid monitor application aims to facilitate early diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in the most common diseases of the retina, i.e., neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME)^2,3, and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In combination with the Heidelberg Eye Explorer HEYEX 2 technology, RetInSight fluid monitor application will offer an efficient clinical workflow.

“This automated service provides precision and speed beyond human expert capacity. It will display intuitive results through a user-friendly RetInSight viewer or via an ePDF report within the HEYEX 2 platform”, said Dr. Amir Sadeghipour, Chief Technology Officer of RetInSight.

RetInSight’s algorithm was designed under a quality management system according to ISO 13485:2016, and CE marking in conformance with the EU Medical Device Regulation is anticipated in June 2021. In the USA, regulatory submission is targeted for 2022.

The aim of the HEYEX 2 workflow interface with the cloud-based RetInSight service is to enable SPECTRALIS users to send OCT volume scans for analysis quickly and securely. Heidelberg Engineering also plans to provide a workflow solution for legacy HEYEX users, as well as for third party OCT devices.

“The availability of the RetInSight application within the HEYEX 2 image management platform will lead to highly efficient disease management. Combining Heidelberg Engineering image quality with this novel AI-service will empower SPECTRALIS owners to improve patient care”, said Martin Schinkmann, Head of Product Management for HEYEX 2 and HEYEX PACS and Managing Director of MedicalCommunications, a Heidelberg Engineering company.

¹ Schmidt-Erfurth U, Sadeghipour A, Gerendas BS, Waldstein SM, Bogunović H. Artificial intelligence in retina [Prog Retin Eye Res. 2018; 67:1-29] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946218300119?via%3Dihub
² Michl M, Fabianska M, Seeböck P, et al. Automated quantification of macular fluid in retinal disease and their response to anti-VEGF therapy. Br. J Ophthalmology. October 2020: bjophthalmology-2020-317416
³ Roberts PK, Vogel WD, Gerendas BS, et al. Quantification of Fluid Resolution and Visual Acuity Gain in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Using Deep Learning. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020 Sep 1; 138(9): 945-953

 
About RetInSight GmbH:
RetInSight, the legal manufacturer of the fluid quantification application, was founded in 2020 as a spin-off of the department of ophthalmology at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and has a track record of eight years in high-level development of validated retinal biomarker algorithms by an interdisciplinary team of AI scientists and retina experts. RetInSight develops transformational AI solutions to improve patient outcomes, increase clinical efficiency and reduce healthcare costs in the management of retinal diseases. The company provides digital reading services on clinical data and retinal images to international pharma & biotech companies involved in drug development targeting eye diseases.

Franklin, Massachusetts – May 12, 2021 – Heidelberg Engineering, a privately-held company providing diagnostic solutions that empower eye care professionals to improve patient care, announced today that its imaging technologies were strongly represented at the 2021 ARVO conference, held virtually from May 1 – May 7, 2021. The SPECTRALIS imaging platform, which offers high-resolution visualization of ocular structures and vasculature, continues to play a significant role in clinical research and scientific programming during the annual conference.

The partial list of ARVO scientific presentations featuring innovations in Heidelberg Engineering posterior and anterior segment products include high-resolution OCT, deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy (FLIO), confocal scanning laser microscopy, OCT angiography, corneal microscopy and biometry and corneal topography.

Retina specialist Richard F. Spaide, MD, of Vitreous Retina Macula Consultant of New York, presented Heidelberg Engineering’s vendor education lecture on the investigational “SPECTRALIS High-Res OCT”. In the presentation, Dr. Spaide discussed the SPECTRALIS high-resolution engineering prototype which features increased center wavelength and bandwidth capabilities, resulting in improved axial resolution. These modernized proficiencies allow for impressive increased visualization of the retina.

“As Heidelberg Engineering celebrates more than 30 years of noteworthy scientific contributions to the ophthalmic community, we were pleased to see SPECTRALIS technology heavily represented in imaging throughout this year’s ARVO scientific content,” said Heidelberg Engineering Managing Director, Arianna Schoess Vargas. “We are grateful to the doctors and researchers who have collaborated with us throughout our company’s longstanding history. We continue to work side by side with leaders in the field to increase the standard of imaging in ophthalmology and the advancement of scientific research.”

Exhibitor Presentation^*

• Richard F. Spaide, MD – “High-Resolution SPECTRALIS OCT”

Scientific Program Highlights^**

• Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, MD et al. – AI-based quantification of photoreceptor maintenance in the treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to AMD in the FILLY trial
• Lydia Sauer, MD et al. – Special Interest Group: “Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) – From Basic Science to Clinical Application”
• Christian Mardin, MD et al. – ‘APSifyed’ Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO) based peripapillary OCT-A analysis
• Leyla Yavuz Saricay, MD et al. – Corneal Nerve Alterations of Neuropathic Corneal Pain Patients with Underlying Autoimmune Conditions: Comparative In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study in Patients with and without Anti-Neuronal Antibodies
• Grace George, MD, et al. – The Heidelberg Flex imaging system as a non-invasive bedside test of intracranial pressure
• Stephanie Tran, OD, MS et al. – Novel High-Resolution Imaging using ANTERION OCT to Assess Fluid Reservoir Change in Scleral Lens Periphery

*High-res OCT is a current research product from Heidelberg Engineering and not available commercially.
**This is a partial list of abstracts that include Heidelberg Engineering technologies.

For those unable to attend ARVO, Heidelberg Engineering offers additional opportunities to learn about the latest products and technology innovations:

• Interactive Research Timeline highlights Heidelberg Engineering’s contributions to scientific research in eye care: https://www.heidelbergengineering.com/us/research-timeline/
• Educational Textbook: High Resolution Imaging in Microscopy and Ophthalmology – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) published by Springer and written by over 60 leading experts in the field. This book is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Gerhard Zinser, co-founder of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH and includes forewords by Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell and Prof. Robert N. Weinreb, MD.

Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Engineering is serving as a member of the Glaucoma / Myopia OCT Phenotyping Consortium (GMOPC), in a new effort to support research to improve the detection of glaucoma, the world´s leading cause of irreversible vision loss.

The GMOPC was established in February 2020 at an inaugural meeting in Los Angeles, California, as an investigator-initiated clinical research study, with Heidelberg Engineering as an industry partner. The consortium comprises 13 clinical centers in seven countries and provides a new research platform for acquiring OCT images, data storage and retrieval for efficient review, quality control and secure access.

Looking beyond established risk factors for glaucoma such as age, family history and intraocular pressure, GMOPC investigators have established five goals to gain scientific insights intended to ultimately help clinicians detect glaucoma earlier and improve patient care:

1. To characterize OCT structural normality in healthy eyes
2. To improve the OCT detection of non-highly myopic early structural glaucoma
3. To better understand myopic structural abnormality and myopic structural glaucoma
4. To lay the foundations for secure data sharing to support Machine Learning on an international scale
5. To establish a powerful platform for further international research initiatives.

In pursuit of these goals, clinical investigators will collate three powerful new data sets: one consisting of highly myopic patients without glaucoma, the second of highly myopic patients with glaucoma, and a third of non-highly myopic patients with early glaucoma. The protocols have been painstakingly designed to address a series of unanswered questions in the detection of glaucoma and myopic structural abnormality.

“We believe the Consortium will fill the unmet need to structurally phenotype glaucoma and myopia, separately and as comorbidities using OCT,” explained Dr. Claude F. Burgoyne, Principal Investigator for the GMOPC, Senior Scientist and Van Buskirk Chair for Ophthalmic Research Director, Optic Nerve Head Research Laboratory at Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon. “We see this as an opportunity to foster collaboration among leading researchers, develop and share rich data sets for use in deep learning and standardize the structural definitions for glaucoma.”

Since its inception in 1990, Heidelberg Engineering has been dedicated to continuous optimization of imaging and healthcare IT to empower clinicians at the point of care. The company hopes to further its pursuit of continuous scientific advancement via ever more ambitious collaboration with researchers in the spirit of its co-founder, the late Dr. Gerhard Zinser.

Charles Reisman, GMOPC Executive Director and Scientific Director for Heidelberg Engineering, is enthusiastic about the long-term potential: “This is the largest research project Heidelberg Engineering has ever supported. In addition to supporting the science, we are excited about the development of a scalable imaging and data management solution to foster scientific exchange, as well as to further improve the performance of the SPECTRALIS imaging platform in highly myopic patients. Our primary objective is the advancement of scientific knowledge, while accelerating the introduction of clinically-relevant, innovative solutions to improve patient care.”

Heidelberg Engineering is supporting the mission of the GMOPC with a comprehensive suite of hardware and software: ANTERION^® for capturing anterior chamber and biometry data, a next generation SPECTRALIS^® for posterior segment imaging, HEYEX EMR with new functionality configured specifically for clinical trials, and HEYEX PACS, a powerful platform for image management and third-party device integration, to facilitate secure data sharing within the global research community. GMOPC data collection is set to begin in the first half of 2022.

Heidelberg Engineering presents various scientific innovations at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Heidelberg Engineering showcases its research capabilities at this year’s ARVO congress that takes place in Denver, Colorado, USA, from May 1–4. The team looks forward to reconnecting with the global research community after two years of solely virtual ARVO meetings, and to demonstrating various scientific innovations and state-of-the-art technologies at the Heidelberg Engineering booth (#2412). The research technologies shown cover a wide range of applications – from retina diagnostics and glaucoma research, cellular and metabolic imaging, to anterior segment innovations, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.*

Secure access to AI – The future for informed diagnostics and treatment decisions

Heidelberg Engineering invites all researchers and developers of AI algorithms to meet its team at ARVO to explore a new secure workflow solution for accessing AI applications. Additional health IT solutions will also be presented at the booth.

Innovations in retinal imaging and glaucoma research

Heidelberg Engineering has a strong background of developing imaging solutions that support advancements in ophthalmic science and lead to tangible benefits in clinical diagnostics and patient care. The imaging technologies presented at ARVO include high-resolution structural and vascular OCT, swept-source OCT applied to the anterior segment, and novel applications for imaging patients in a supine position. Delegates can also learn more about research being carried out in fluorescence lifetime imaging, OCT-guided selective retinal laser therapy and phenotyping glaucoma.

Fostering research in cellular imaging and anterior segment diagnostics

Heidelberg Engineering’s confocal scanning laser microscopy technology (as used on the HRT3 RCM) offers a unique approach for the in vivo assessment of all corneal layers – down to the cellular level.

In addition, Heidelberg Engineering recently released the ANTERION Imaging App in the USA, which utilizes the power of high-resolution swept-source OCT to visualize the entire anterior segment – from the anterior surface of the cornea to the posterior surface of the lens. Its revealing OCT images provide visual confirmation and add reliability as well as accuracy to the diagnosis and follow-up of anterior segment alterations.

Since its inception in 1990, Heidelberg Engineering has collaborated with international scientists, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative solutions to advance knowledge in ophthalmology and beyond. Uncover more of the company’s contributions to science and explore research highlights that involve its technologies at: www.heidelbergengineering.com/int/HEscience

*Many of the technologies presented at ARVO are for research only and are not available for commercial use.

Heidelberg, Germany – Dr. Bettina Hohberger, from the Eye Clinic at the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany, is this year’s winner of the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award for her diagnostic insights into long COVID.

PD Dr. Dr. Hohberger, from the group of Professor Christian Mardin at the University Clinic in Erlangen, Germany, has used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on the SPECTRALIS^® platform in an experimental setting to assess therapeutic responses of patients impaired by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In a recent publication¹, she describes her findings of CFS in relation to a preceding COVID-19 infection (known as “long-COVID syndrome”). Long COVID may present certain characteristics in retinal capillary density that can be identified with SPECTRALIS OCTA.

With the Xtreme Research Award, Heidelberg Engineering recognizes talented researchers for their outstanding projects that provide tangible benefits to ophthalmic science, eyecare, and improved patient care.

Dr. Hohberger’s research demonstrates the importance of high-resolution OCTA and the potential of OCT imaging beyond ophthalmic pathologies, and it furthers our understanding of this technology and its clinical capabilities.

“It is an honor for me to accept this award from Heidelberg Engineering. With this technology, we were able to gain novel insights into the field of long COVID,“ Dr. Hohberger said. “Scientific research relies on high-resolution images and precise measurements, and we are fortunate to have OCTA devices with a high resolution to help us detect and image physiological changes, discern patterns, and formulate potential treatment options.”

At Heidelberg Engineering, scientific research continues to be a driver for innovation and potential product developments.

“Since our inception in 1990, we have collaborated with international scientists, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative solutions and to support knowledge advancements in ophthalmology and beyond,” says Krysten Williams, Head of Global Marketing and Education. “Dr. Hohberger’s research is making substantial contributions to medical insights into long COVID and may help refine treatment options.”

Heidelberg Engineering celebrated Dr. Hohberger’s achievement at the formal Xtreme Research Award ceremony at this year’s annual ARVO meeting in Denver, Colorado, where her research findings, summarized in the presentation “Behind the Eye: OCT-A in Long COVID,” took center stage.

Uncover more scientific innovations and explore research highlights that involve the company’s technologies at: https://www.heidelbergengineering.com/int/hescience/

Reference:
¹ Hohberger, Bettina et al. (2021). Case Report: Neutralization of Autoantibodies Targeting G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Improves Capillary Impairment and Fatigue Symptoms After COVID-19 Infection. Frontiers in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.754667

Munich, Germany – Heidelberg Engineering GmbH announced today that the first ophthalmic solution developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Munich Surgical Imaging GmbH (MSI), in collaboration with Bausch and Lomb, will be showcased to a select group of surgeons at EURETINA 2022 in Hamburg.

MSI, based in Munich Germany, is a technological pioneer in the field of digital microscopy and image-guidance applications. The company’s first fully digital surgical platform in the field of ENT has received numerous awards for outstanding 3D image quality combined with preoperative data blending.

“When we decided to invest in the MSI technology, we knew it had the potential to change surgical intervention,” said Arianna Schoess Vargas, Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering. “The digitalization of surgical microscopy opens up new possibilities for the dynamic visualization of information to increase surgical precision, improve outcomes, and empower ophthalmologists in all ophthalmic sub-specialties.”

MSI and Heidelberg Engineering GmbH have established a strategic collaboration with Bausch+Lomb to become the exclusive commercial channel for all MSI digital ophthalmic microscopy products globally. Together the companies will create integrated solutions to meet the growing demand for digital surgical microscopy through the robust global sales network of Bausch+Lomb.

“We are excited to have forged this strategic collaboration with MSI and Heidelberg Engineering in the field of digital surgical microscopy,” said Luc Bonnefoy, Senior Vice President Surgical at Bausch+Lomb. “Heidelberg Engineering is renowned for its high-quality diagnostic imaging and OCT capabilities, and I am certain that together we can bring transformative innovation to the ophthalmology O.R. space using the MSI technology.”

“Our strategic collaboration with Bausch+Lomb in this area will allow surgeons to benefit from the combined strengths of both companies in the surgical field,” said Kfir Azoulay, Head of Corporate Strategy at Heidelberg Engineering and Managing Director of MSI. “We look forward to working with ophthalmic surgeons and scientists in creating new solutions that will provide clinically relevant value to current surgical practices.”

In addition to EURETINA, the new ophthalmic solution from MSI will also be showcased at ESCRS in Milan, Italy, and AAO in Chicago, USA.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business, is solely focused on helping people see better to live better. Its core businesses include over-the-counter products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices, and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in approximately 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bausch.com.

About Munich Surgical Imaging

Munich Surgical Imaging (MSI) is a high-tech company that specializes in the field of digital microscopy, surgical imaging, and image-guidance applications. The company’s first surgical platform in the field of ENT received accolades from surgeons on key parameters, such as outstanding natural 3D image quality and blending of 3D imaging with preoperative data. Now a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, MSI has incorporated state-of-the-art OCT technology into its surgical solutions and extended it product portfolio into ophthalmology by designing a new fully digital visualization platform from the ground up.

Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Engineering, a global provider of diagnostic imaging and healthcare IT solutions, is pleased to introduce a new team to assist customers in the EMEAI region, with initial focus on the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Southeastern Europe and Africa. Following 20 years of cooperation with MEDELSIS Medikal Elektronik Sistemler A.S. and the retirement of MEDELSIS owner Sinan Ilicak, the region is now under the direction of Azim Ranmal, Area Sales Director, EMEAI.

Following his Master of Engineering degree with a focus on Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (Germany), Mr. Ranmal gathered extensive experience in IT, consulting, and medical technology sales. In his most recent role as Business Unit Director at a medical technology company, his responsibilities included the development of long-term sales forecasts, strategy, and budgets.

Three experienced specialists are supporting Mr. Ranmal within the region: Gökhan Sahbudak as Service and Support Expert, Cem Tahmazoglu as Clinical Sales Specialist, and Can Mert as Sales Solution Engineer for Healthcare IT.

“This region is underserved in terms of patient care. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with our distribution partners to build awareness of how multi-modal imaging can transform clinical workflow and improve patient care,” said Mr. Ranmal.

Additionally, a new distributor has taken over the representation of Heidelberg Engineering products in Türkiye – OCULAMED Medikal Elektronik Ltd. based in Ankara.

“With a new distributor in Türkiye and new colleagues representing Heidelberg Engineering in the EMEAI region, our customers will have knowledgeable contacts to provide assistance with new and ongoing projects, as well as clinical education, technical support and healthcare IT solutions,” said Erich Bangert, Head of Global Sales at Heidelberg Engineering.

The Heidelberg Engineering team is looking forward to showcasing its innovative solutions at this year’s ARVO congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from April 23-27, 2023. At its booth (#1119), it will present research technologies covering a wide range of applications – from glaucoma research and retina diagnostics to cellular and metabolic imaging, and access to AI-based diagnostic support.

Visotec GmbH has joined the Heidelberg Engineering family and adds full-field technology (FF-OCT) to the company’s current spectrum of OCT technologies: spectral domain OCT (powering SPECTRALIS® for retinal imaging) and swept-source OCT (powering ANTERION® for anterior sector imaging). Visotec’s technology acquires 2D en face views which can then be assembled into B-scans of the retinal layers and colocalized with reference images acquired with the SPECTRALIS to ensure accurate follow-up of disease progression. Visotec’s proprietary OCT technology may be integrated into the secure data sharing environment of the HEIDELBERG EYE EXPLORER platform and offers tremendous potential in the field of distributed care.

Secure access to AI – The future of informed diagnostics and treatment decisions

DICOM is also the basis of interoperability for Heidelberg AppWay, Heidelberg Engineering’s secure gateway to both clinical and research applications. Utilizing cloud exchange technology within HEYEX 2, this novel workflow solution allows users to select and access analytics for diagnostic insights from multiple third-party SaaS providers – safely, securely, and seamlessly. In addition to HEYEX 2 with Heidelberg AppWay, HEYEX EMR (a solution for electronic medical records) captures the structured data required to support analysis of large data sets providing valuable insight into improving patient outcomes.

In response to the recent FDA approval of intravitreal pegcetacoplan (SYFOVRE; Apellis) to treat geographic atrophy (GA) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Heidelberg Engineering will demonstrate a multimodal workflow solution combining autofluorescence imaging, high-resolution OCT, MultiColor, near-infrared imaging, and seamless access to AI research applications for geographic atrophy.

Innovations in retinal imaging and glaucoma research

Heidelberg Engineering has a strong background of developing imaging solutions that support advancements in ophthalmic science and lead to tangible benefits in clinical diagnostics and patient care. Delegates can learn more about high-resolution structural and vascular OCT imaging, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy (FLIO), an imaging modality used to measure lifetime changes in endogenous fluorophores in the retina, as well as novel applications for imaging patients in a supine position. Team members will also share updates about the ongoing data collection of the Glaucoma / Myopia OCT Phenotyping Consortium (GMOPC), a global, multi-site research effort into phenotyping glaucoma.

Advancing research in anterior segment diagnostics

In addition to the ANTERION Imaging App released in the USA in 2022, recently added features to the Cornea and Metrics Apps* have expanded the ANTERION to a true all-in-one anterior segment solution whose anterior chamber and biometry data also supports the mission of the GMOPC. The latest software facilitates epithelial thickness measurements, intuitive tools for the assessment of corneal ectasia, and automatic anterior chamber measurements.

Heidelberg Engineering will also host an award presentation for the winner of the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award on Monday, April 24. The award recognizes aspiring researchers and honors their outstanding projects and advancements to ophthalmic research.

Uncover more of the company’s contributions to science and explore research highlights that involve its technologies at: www.heidelbergengineering.com/int/HEscience

*Many of the technologies presented at ARVO are for research only and are not available for clinical use.

Research team from the University of Lübeck is being recognized for elevating retinal imaging to a new level.

Heidelberg, Germany – Dr. Hendrik Spahr and Dr. Dierck Hillmann are being honored as winners of the 2023 Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award for their research on holographic optical coherence tomography (HOLO-OCT) and their ongoing effort to transfer this technology into clinical applications.

“We initially demonstrated what is possible in OCT when using an experimental high-speed imaging system that captures all the data points more or less at once,” the team explained. “We could suddenly correct imaging errors and use novel contrast, for example.”

With their adjustments, they were able to enhance resolution to visualize human photoreceptors in vivo with OCT.

“We can numerically correct defocus and other aberrations, allowing us to visualize the photoreceptor mosaic and other microstructures of the human retina that could otherwise not be resolved,” Dr. Spahr and Dr. Hillmann said. “The ability to image the photoreceptors and other layers of the retina and to investigate their function and response to incident light, holds immense potential for clinical diagnostics.”

Their research on holographic OCT thus provides further potential in adding functional contrast to OCT imaging, which previously was often limited to structural imaging.

Linkage of photoreceptors and ganglion cells can be measured

The team’s ongoing efforts to transfer these findings to traditional OCT systems are expected to provide the basis for next-generation clinical OCT solutions and for introducing more functional imaging in the clinical setting.

With the Xtreme Research Award, Heidelberg Engineering recognizes aspiring researchers and honors their outstanding projects and advancements to ophthalmic research. Over the years, novel research approaches by award winners have contributed to a better understanding of complex problems in ophthalmology and beyond.

Uncover more scientific innovations and explore research highlights that involve the company’s technologies at: https://www.heidelbergengineering.com/int/hescience/

Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in ophthalmic imaging and healthcare data solutions, is pleased to introduce a new Head of Global Sales, Mr. Hartmut Becker.

As of April 2023, Mr. Becker joined the company´s leadership team as Head of Global Sales. In his new role, he will be leading the company’s sales and distribution activities across the group, and he will be responsible for supporting Heidelberg Engineering’s direct subsidiaries, as well as 70 distributors serving over 100 countries.

Mr. Becker holds a degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA with a focus on business and financial strategy. With almost two decades of professional experience in the medical and life science industry, Mr. Becker has a deep understanding of sales, marketing, business development and leadership. He started his career in the dental industry, holding different leadership roles at KaVo Dental. Later, he joined Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in which his most recent role was Head of Ophthalmic Diagnostics Jena and Global Market Development for their entire diagnostic portfolio. Prior to his position at Heidelberg Engineering, he was Managing Director at Retsch GmbH, a global leader in the laboratory equipment industry.

“I am looking forward to shaping the future of the company together with our outstanding team. I will focus on process improvements and on the development and execution of new business strategies, to utilize the full potential of our product portfolio, to increase annual revenue, and to find the perfect solution for our customers to enable them to improve patient care.”, says Mr. Becker.

Until the end of the year, Mr. Becker will benefit from the support of his predecessor, Erich Bangert, who will pass on his extensive knowledge of the company product portfolio, as well as the distribution and industry network.

“As we usher in Hartmut Becker as the next generation of sales leadership, we would like to thank Erich Bangert for his 15 year of service and his contribution to establishing Heidelberg Engineering as a leader in diagnostic imaging,” said Arianna Schoess, Co-Managing Director. “We wish him a very happy retirement”.

FRANKLIN, MA – October 12, 2023 – Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in ophthalmic imaging and healthcare data solutions, announces FDA clearance of its innovative all-in-one ANTERION^® platform, designed to transform anterior segment diagnostics and streamline practice workflow.

“Building upon our previous CE-marking, we are thrilled that the ANTERION platform is now available to eye care providers across the U.S.,” said Arianna Schoess Vargas, Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH. “We believe this device complements our current portfolio of products and arms anterior segment focused practices with the comprehensive data needed to support diagnostic decisions that ultimately improve patient care.”

As an all-in-one upgradeable platform, ANTERION combines biometry, IOL power calculation with corneal topography and tomography, anterior chamber metrics, and high-resolution imaging to help revolutionize the day-to-day clinical routine. Additional proprietary features such as patented eye tracking and composite imaging technologies help deliver exceptional Heidelberg image quality, allowing eyecare professionals to perform anterior segment examinations and acquire key measurements via high-resolution swept-source OCT images that support clinical decision-making and increase diagnostic confidence.

Mitchell W. Dul, OD, MS, Principal Investigator of the clinical trial, said, “We were impressed by the high-quality images and measurements of the anterior segment that ANTERION offers. Its multi-faceted utility, high resolution, rapid image acquisition, and intuitive user interface will make this device an invaluable tool for clinical practice.”

Central to the ANTERION platform is the Imaging App, which was FDA cleared in November 2021. The Imaging App focuses on the high-resolution visualization of the anterior segment and delivers impressive and revealing OCT images that assist eye doctors in the diagnosis and management of anterior segment alterations. ANTERION’s functionality has been expanded with the newly FDA cleared apps designed to meet a variety of clinical needs:

• The Cornea App provides a comprehensive set of corneal measurements for the evaluation of a patient’s individual corneal geometry. These diagnostic insights can be used to help support the surgical planning and evaluation of refractive procedures.
• The Metrics App features swept-source OCT images with the anterior chamber displayed in a radial view. Predefined angle parameters can be determined, and free-hand measurements can also be performed.
• The Cataract App combines key measurements for cataract surgery planning, including integrated monofocal and toric IOL calculators. The ability to assess corneal wavefront and total power supports a more suitable IOL selection and helps avoid refractive surprises even in challenging eyes.

For more information about ANTERION, visit our website or contact us directly.

Sight-saving charity Orbis and high-tech imaging and data solutions company Heidelberg Engineering are leveraging technology to provide free clinical education for eye care professionals around the world.

In 2024, Heidelberg Engineering is sponsoring three instructional virtual sessions, taking place via Cybersight, the award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform, founded by Orbis.

• April 12, 2024, 1:00 PM UTC – Improved Perioperative Management of Cataract Surgery Using OCT Technology
• July 19, 2024, 1:00 PM UTC – Using OCT as an Approach to Diagnose Glaucomatous and Other Optic Neuropathies
• November 15, 2024, 2:00 PM UTC – Clinical Technology & Surgical Techniques in the Evolving Management of Corneal Diseases

The first live co-sponsored virtual session took place in February. It focused on diagnosing, monitoring, and managing diabetic retinopathy. Over 600 eye health professionals in over 100 countries joined live, from locations such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where eye care services can be difficult to access.

Globally, 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, with 90% residing in low and middle-income countries, in part due to a limited availability of trained eye health professionals to tackle avoidable causes. Cybersight provides an opportunity for all eye health professionals to take part in continued professional development, removing barriers such as cost or location.

With the leading causes of avoidable blindness being cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy and with 1.9 million people living with corneal disease, these targeted clinical educational sessions will guide eye care professionals in how optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging test, and other technological advances, can be used to detect, treat, and prevent these common causes of sight loss.

“We are so grateful to Heidelberg Engineering for their incredible support of Cybersight. This partnership will help us to globalise the best lectures and professors from across Europe and strengthen our reach to eye health professionals from around the world,” says Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President of Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis. “Orbis has always been at the confluence of technology and training, and our partnership with Heidelberg Engineering allows us to deepen the reach and impact of our mission.”

“Our partnership with Orbis is one way we are bringing to life our mission of empowering clinicians to improve patient care by making best-in-class ophthalmic clinical education and content accessible to all,” explains Arianna Schoess Vargas, Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH. “For us to be able to have a role in helping Cybersight improve patient care through education to underserved communities is not only rewarding but a true privilege.”

Orbis has been transforming lives through the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness for four decades. With a network of partners across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the charity is working to make eye care available everywhere, for everyone, so that no one has to experience the consequences of avoidable blindness and sight loss.

To reserve you free slot, click the links below to sign up:

• April 12th
• July 19th
• November 15th

It is also possible to access these free webinars in the Cybersight Library after the sessions have taken place.

The Heidelberg Engineering team presents its latest innovations in ophthalmic imaging for research, clinical practice, and surgical theatre at the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting May 5-9 in Seattle.

HEIDELBERG, Germany, April 30, 2024 – Heidelberg Engineering welcomes ARVO delegates to experience Heidelberg image quality across a wide range of applications from basic vision research to clinical trials and guided therapy, all with the goal of improving patient care. See how these advancements from the gold standard in diagnostic imaging for research and beyond uncover more

SEELUMA

For the first time, Heidelberg Engineering will demonstrate the future of digital imaging with its investigational SEELUMA, developed and manufactured by Heidelberg Engineering subsidiary, Munich Surgical Imaging and distributed exclusively by Bausch + Lomb. The groundbreaking, fully digital, surgical-visualization platform features next-generation image technology with state-of-the-art intraoperative OCT that will transform the modern OR. Ergonomic and easy-to-use, it will set a new standard in precision and comfort during procedures with its heads-up 3D monitor, multiple digital display options, and intuitive interface.

ANTERION

Attendees can see the all-in-one ANTERION Imaging Platform for the anterior segment that combines biometry, IOL power calculation with corneal topography and tomography, and anterior chamber metrics, all based on swept-source high-resolution OCT images. The Epithelial Thickness Module (ETM), which was recently submitted for FDA clearance, will also be on display.

HEIDELBERG CHAMELEON

In another example of how Heidelberg Engineering is adapting to meet all the ophthalmic communities’ needs from bench to bedside, the company is proud and eager to introduce the Heidelberg CHAMELEON Imaging Research Platform. Based on the proven SPECTRALIS technology, Heidelberg CHAMELEON unlocks imaging of a wider range of fluorophores critical for groundbreaking basic vision research, thanks to its unique interface to tunable laser light sources. Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) and simultaneous OCT imaging with patented active eye tracking ensure unmatched clarity and detail.

“In 2025, Heidelberg Engineering is set to revolutionize basic vision science with the introduction of the Heidelberg CHAMELEON Imaging Research Platform,” said Heidelberg Engineering Clinical Development Manager — Investigational Technologies, Dr. Sebastian Rausch. “As the industry leader in ophthalmic imaging, setting the standard in scientific research, we are proud to advance our technology across a full spectrum of applications, from bench to bedside.” Dr. Rausch has more than 15 years of experience in research and development of medical devices.

HEIDELBERG EYE EXPLORER

DICOM and MONAI are the basis of interoperability for Heidelberg AppWay, a secure and compliant gateway and workflow solution to access artificial intelligence (AI) applications that can provide additional insight into diagnostic images for clinical routine and scientific research. Developers can learn more about the new AI research platform to make investigational algorithms easily accessible and to accelerate innovation in AI.

XTREME RESEARCH AWARD WINNER – SRT TECHNOLOGY

Monday night, Heidelberg Engineering will host an award presentation for the winner of the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award that recognizes aspiring researchers for their outstanding contribution to ophthalmic research. This year’s award highlights Dr. Christian Burri from the University of Bern for his work with real-time OCT guided dosimetry in selective retina therapy (SRT).

Uncover more of Heidelberg Engineering’s contributions to science and explore research highlights that involve its technologies at: www.heidelbergengineering.com/int/HEscience. ARVO delegates can witness the latest innovations from Heidelberg Engineering at stand #1905.

*Many of the technologies presented at ARVO are for research only and are not available for clinical use.

SEATTLE, WA, May 7, 2024 — Eye2Gene, a pioneering artificial intelligence National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded project based at the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in ophthalmic imaging and data technologies, are thrilled to announce their collaborative partnership, set to be unveiled at the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing ophthalmic diagnostics and personalized treatment approaches. By combining Eye2Gene’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithm with Heidelberg Engineering image quality and innovative workflow solutions, the partnership aims to revolutionize the care pathway for patients with inherited retinal disease.

At ARVO 2024, attendees can experience firsthand the power of this collaboration at Stand #1905 and learn more about the collaborative partnership between Eye2Gene and Heidelberg Engineering. The joint demonstration will showcase the seamless integration of Eye2Gene’s AI algorithm for the prediction of inherited retinal disease genes using SPECTRALIS BluePeak Autofluorescence, cSLO Infrared and OCT images, with HEYEX 2’s Heidelberg AppWay. Researchers can uncover how images acquired with the SPECTRALIS can be interrogated by Eye2Gene to predict which gene is causing the inherited disease, offering a glimpse into the future of precision medicine in ophthalmology.

“Because inherited diseases are rare, they are challenging to diagnose for most non-specialists,” said Nikolas Pontikos, lead researcher for Eye2Gene. “By training and validating a deep learning network with SPECTRALIS data that has been de-identified and securely obtained from specialist hospitals such as Moorfields, Oxford, Liverpool, and Tokyo Medical Center, we can engineer an expert AI solution that may play an important role in democratizing expert knowledge for inherited retinal diseases. Partnering with Heidelberg Engineering to make our solution available within Heidelberg AppWay will foster collaboration with researchers to further validate the science and give us a platform to transition the technology into clinical practice in future.”

Arianna Schoess Vargas, Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering, is similarly excited by this innovative approach. “By combining the power of Heidelberg image quality and artificial intelligence, we are poised to empower eye care professionals with comprehensive insights into genetic diagnosis of inherited retinal disease, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes and improving patient care”, she said.

The Eye2Gene research project team will be presenting two posters at ARVO 2024 detailing the science behind the solution:

Tuesday 1:15 – 3:00pm PT William Woof B0397: Creating the World’s Largest Dataset of Segmented Inherited Retinal Disease Features by Bootstrapping Manual Annotations with AI

Wednesday 10:30 – 12:15pm PT Bernardo Souza Mendes B0111: Extending Eye2Gene to Quantify the Phenotypic Diversity and Similarity of 63 Inherited Retinal Diseases Using an Embedding Approach

ARVO attendees are also encouraged to visit Stand #1905 to learn more about the collaborative partnership between Eye2Gene and Heidelberg Engineering, experience a live demonstration of HEYEX 2 with Heidelberg Appway, and uncover how retinal scans can be interrogated to predict which gene is causing the inherited disease.

About Eye2Gene:

Eye2Gene is a research project based at the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology that has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Moorfields Eye Charity. Eye2Gene is currently a collaboration between University College London, Moorfields, Oxford, and Liverpool hospitals in the UK and the National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center in Japan.

For more information about Eye2Gene, please visit https://eye2gene.com/.

About University College London Institute of Ophthalmology:

The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is world-leading for research and teaching in ophthalmology and biomedical science. We deliver advanced ophthalmic research and education in partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital.

For more information about UCL, please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioo/about-us.

About Heidelberg Engineering:

Heidelberg Engineering optimizes imaging and data technologies to provide ophthalmic solutions and support learning that advances research and empowers clinicians who want to improve the holistic health of patients.

For more information about Heidelberg Engineering, please visit https://www.heidelbergengineering.com.

About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR):

The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.  NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low- and middle-income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.

For more information about NIHR, please visit: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING XTREME RESEARCH AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

Highlighting the work of “outstanding researchers” in ophthalmic imaging, the 14th annual Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award has been presented to Dr Christian Burri, PhD Biomedical Engineering, optoLab Institute for Human Centred Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences, and Institute of Applied Physics at the University of Bern.

Dr Burri – selected from an impressive shortlist – received his award at an evening ceremony during ARVO, the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology which was held in Seattle. His research, Real time optical coherence tomography guided dosimetry in selective retina therapy, is being facilitated by the high-resolution images and multi-modal functionality of the Heidelberg Engineering SPECTRALIS.

Dr Burri was honoured to be selected –

“This award marks the great successes in the research arena. I can honestly say that I was more thrilled to receive this than finishing my PhD.”

Sebastian Rausch, Clinical Development Manager for Investigational Technologies at Heidelberg Engineering, praised the work of Dr Burri, along with the previous winners of the coveted research award –

“Research in the field has the highest value as it reaches the greatest number of patients. This year’s winner is geared towards therapy, while many of the previous winners have focused on diagnosis and management of therapies.”

The prestigious title, which comes with a €2,500 award, emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Dr Burri’s study brings together Heidelberg Engineering with Meridian Medical AG Switzerland, a producer of treatment lasers.

Sebastian Rausch explained –

“We have been exploring the potential of treating Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) pathologies, and potentially other conditions, with selective retinal therapy, removing diseased cells without damaging neighbouring tissue, most importantly the photoreceptors.”

“Not many people are working in this field and, other devices historically, have not been able to achieve all that is potentially possible. We are using OCT to ensure the dosage and duration is highly controlled. This is the first time a specific, personalised treatment can be provided for these patients. As the neurosensory retina is not damaged, it should be possible to perform treatments close to, or even within, the fovea.”

This form of selective retinal therapy (SRT) has, until now, faced the challenge that laser transmission through the eye, as well as the pigmentation of the retina, varies greatly from person to person. Each individual laser spot requires a different pulse energy, and this has been a challenge for many researchers.

Dr Burri explained –

“For more than 20 years we have known that this treatment works but what was missing was a reliable, non-invasive control mechanism, which we believe we now have. It has been very good working with Heidelberg Engineering to develop the SPECTRALIS CENTAURUS prototype. Our work together commenced in 2017, and we believe this new research device integrates the treatment laser as an extension of the imaging platform.”

Approved by Swissmedic for clinical trials, the prototype has been used recently for a first-in-man safety study in a cohort of diabetic retinopathy patients, as part of a four-year study. They commenced in 2021 at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. Another cohort – of AMD patients – is due to start soon at the same hospital. Promising preliminary clinical trial data was presented at last year’s ARVO in Denver and will be presented in more detail within the next year, hopefully providing the clinical evidence needed to transition the technology from scientific research into clinical practice in the future.

FRANKLIN, MA – July 16, 2024 – Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in ophthalmic imaging and healthcare data solutions, announces FDA clearance of SPECTRALIS^® OCTA Module with SHIFT technology, which reduces acquisition time by 50%¹. The preset OCTA speed of 125 kHz is designed to help streamline workflow, enhance clinical efficiencies, and maintain Heidelberg image quality.

“While SPECTRALIS OCTA Module has always been a safe and cost-effective precursor to traditional angiography, delivering unparalleled resolution, many eye care practitioners have hesitated to fully adopt this advanced technology into daily clinical practice because of the acquisition time,” says Ram Liebenthal, General Manager USA at Heidelberg Engineering. “We are thrilled to introduce the next generation of OCTA that increases the acquisition speed without sacrificing image quality, thus making it a more versatile clinical tool in the diagnoses and management of retinal diseases.”

Combined with a more powerful OCT engine, updated graphics processing technology, and software optimization, SHIFT technology delivers increased speed, maintains data integrity, and improves performance. The technology is available exclusively on third generation SPECTRALIS devices.

Dennis M. Marcus, MD, principal investigator of the clinical trial, said, “Reducing the scanning time for OCTA without diminishing the resolution is a huge step forward, not only for SPECTRALIS but for the industry. Speed plus image quality eliminates the barriers and opens the door for mainstream adoption. I think we will start to see more doctors warm to the idea of trying OCTA as part of the routine clinical work-up for at risk patients.”

For more information about SPECTRALIS OCTA with SHIFT Technology, visit our Product Page or contact us directly.

About Heidelberg Engineering

Heidelberg Engineering continuously optimizes imaging and healthcare IT technologies to provide ophthalmic diagnostic solutions that empower clinicians to improve patient care. From its inception in 1990, the company has collaborated with scientists, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative products that deliver clinically relevant benefits.

Uncompromising quality and education play a large part in fostering the diagnostic confidence that has become synonymous with the global brand. The company’s substantial expertise in the development and implementation of intelligent image and data management solutions complements its distinguished history in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic diagnostic instruments.

Heidelberg Engineering’s growing product portfolio combines these core technologies: confocal microscopy, scanning lasers and optics, optical coherence tomography (OCT), real-time image processing and analytics, multimodal image management solutions (PACS), electronic medical records (EMR), and large-scale data analysis.

¹ Heidelberg Engineering Acquisition Time Comparison Video: SPECTRALIS with OCT2 Module at 85 kHz vs. SPECTRALIS with SHIFT Module at 125 kHz.

The transaction will create growth opportunities for Heidelberg Engineering and confirms EssilorLuxottica’s commitment to further elevating industry standards and enhancing patients’ quality care

Paris, France and Heidelberg, Germany (17 July 2024 – 8 am CEST) – EssilorLuxottica and Heidelberg Engineering announced today they entered into an agreement for the acquisition of an 80% stake in Heidelberg Engineering, a Germany-based company specializing in diagnostic solutions, digital surgical technologies and healthcare IT for clinical ophthalmology. Drawing on EssilorLuxottica’s long-standing expertise in the design and manufacture of advanced instruments and vision care solutions for eyecare professionals, this agreement represents a step forward in the Group’s strategy and its med-tech journey.

Founded by Dr. Gerhard Zinser and Christoph Schoess in 1990, Heidelberg Engineering brings extensive technological and scientific expertise in optical coherence tomography (OCT), real-time image processing and analytics, large-scale data analysis and digital surgical navigation, to serve medical professionals, scientists and researchers across a broad range of ophthalmic areas.

With a presence in over 100 countries, for more than three decades Heidelberg Engineering has been a reference in early detection of sight-threatening conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. As part of EssilorLuxottica, Heidelberg Engineering will continue to serve the market under their well-established brand, delivering the same solutions and expertise their customers have come to expect and trust.

“Heidelberg Engineering, renowned for its expertise in early detection and diagnosis, is a perfect fit for EssilorLuxottica as it will bolster our presence in the med-tech space. Heidelberg Engineering, with its commitment to research and development, rooted in excellence, shares our core values. By harnessing the full spectrum of our Group's capabilities in the optical industry, from logistics to manufacturing to global distribution, we are dedicated to fostering their long-term growth while enhancing the doctor and patient experience,” commented Francesco Milleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at EssilorLuxottica.

"Innovation and quality have been key drivers for Heidelberg Engineering ever since Gerhard Zinser and I founded the company 35 years ago,” added Christoph Schoess, co-founder and Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering. “Our mission has always been to develop products that provide comprehensive, accurate, and clinically relevant information to aid ophthalmologists in achieving better outcomes for their patients. Our future goals include enhancing image quality through higher resolution, expanding the applications of imaging technologies, and integrating AI solutions into the growing HEYEX Healthcare IT platform. We are delighted that EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyecare, embraces our vision for creating a shared care system spanning from research to home monitoring. Together, we are strongly positioned to significantly advance patient care and improve clinical outcomes.”

The transaction is expected to close in H2 2024 pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Contacts:

About EssilorLuxottica:
EssilorLuxottica is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. With over 200,000 employees across 150 countries, 650 operations facilities and 18,000 stores, in 2023 the Company generated consolidated revenue of Euro 25.4 billion. Its mission is to help people around the world to see more and be more by addressing their evolving vision needs and personal style aspirations. EssilorLuxottica is home to the most advanced lens technologies including Varilux, Stellest and Transitions, the most iconic eyewear brands including Ray-Ban and Oakley, the most desired luxury licensed brands and world-class retailers including LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut. The Company’s OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has given access to sustainable vision care to more than 760 million people in underserved communities. The EssilorLuxottica share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 indices. Codes and symbols:
ISIN: FR0000121667; Reuters: ESLX.PA; Bloomberg: EL:FP. www.essilorluxottica.com

About Heidelberg Engineering:
Heidelberg Engineering continuously optimizes imaging and data technologies to provide ophthalmic solutions that empower clinicians to improve patient care. From its inception in 1990, the company has collaborated with scientists, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative products that deliver clinically relevant benefits.Heidelberg Engineering’s growing product portfolio combines these core technologies: confocal microscopy, scanning lasers and optics, optical coherence tomography (OCT), real-time image processing and analytics, multimodal image management solutions (PACS), electronic medical records (EMR), and large-scale data analysis.

Heidelberg, Germany, 10 October 2024 — At the opening ceremony at their annual congress in Berlin, Germany, the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) awarded Christoph Schoess, founder and long-serving Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering, the esteemed Theodor Leber Medal. This prestigious accolade is presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to scientific ophthalmology or the DOG, even though they are not ophthalmologists themselves.

Christoph Schoess’ impact on the field of ophthalmology is truly remarkable. With a background in business administration, Schoess holds a business degree (Dipl.-Kfm.) from the University of Cologne, and furthered his academic journey for 1.5 years in Tokyo, focusing on Asian studies, economics, and the Japanese language. After gaining professional experience at renowned companies such as Urenco, Dietz, Norsk Data, and Pfaff, he took on the role of CFO at Heidelberg Instruments. In 1990, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with Dr. Gerhard Zinser founding Heidelberg Engineering, a company that has since become a world leader in high-resolution ophthalmic imaging.

Under the visionary leadership of Schoess and Zinser, Heidelberg Engineering revolutionized imaging solutions for ophthalmic diagnostics. The company’s innovations have advanced the understanding and treatment of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, by developing cutting-edge imaging techniques for both the posterior and anterior segments of the eye. Presenting the award, Frank Holz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Bonn, Germany explained, “Under the leadership of Christoph Schoess and his team, Heidelberg Engineering has become one of the global market leaders in the field of high-resolution ophthalmological imaging and associated software. This also includes AI solutions for analyzing imaging data.”

A key element of Christoph Schoess’ success lies in his respect and understanding of the importance of collaboration with scientists and clinicians globally, as well as entrepreneurial spirt and work ethic. His dedication to improving patient outcomes by partnering with clinicians to optimize innovative imaging technologies has made Heidelberg Engineering products indispensable tools for eye care professionals. “Christoph Schoess is an outspoken advocate of entrepreneurship and innovation. He firmly believes that the future of our country and Europe depends to a large extent on the extent to which societies are willing to invest in education, progress and hard work,” Holz shared. “We reinvested everything in the company, always with the goal to discover innovative technology that was useful to the eye doctor.“ He expressed his gratitude to Dr. Gerhard Zinser and his team, who laid the foundation for this success, and added: “Such success is never the result of one person alone, but always the achievement of a team, which now includes nearly 700 employees.”

By awarding the Theodor Leber Medal, the DOG recognizes Christoph Schoess for his outstanding lifetime achievements, which have shaped the future of ophthalmic care through groundbreaking technological advancements. His contributions continue to support and inspire the international ophthalmic community, ensuring Heidelberg Engineering remains at the forefront of innovation in the field.

For more information about the Theodor Leber Medal and the work of the German Ophthalmological Society, please visit https://dog.org/die-dog.

FRANKLIN, MA – October 14, 2024 – Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in ophthalmic imaging and healthcare data solutions, announces FDA clearance of the SPECTRALIS^® Flex Module. This innovative, multimodal, diagnostic imaging-only platform is uniquely designed for imaging the posterior segment of pediatric and adult patients in a supine position.

The Flex Module mounts the renowned SPECTRALIS to a movable stand with an articulated adjustable arm, offering unprecedented flexibility that extends imaging capabilities to various positions and acquisition environments. This is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot be imaged with traditional tabletop OCT devices.

“Receiving FDA clearance for the SPECTRALIS Flex Module fulfills our vision of bringing Heidelberg image quality to all patients, regardless of their age or physical abilities,” says Ram Liebenthal, General Manager US at Heidelberg Engineering. “We recognized that many patients cannot use a static, table-mounted headrest. By reimagining SPECTRALIS in a more flexible configuration, we can ensure that these patients have access to best-in-class imaging, offering peace of mind to parents, guardians, and caretakers.”

Similar to the traditional tabletop SPECTRALIS device, the Flex Module offers various imaging- only modalities, including high-resolution OCT, OCT Angiography (OCTA), Fluorescein Angiography (FA), Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG), Blue Laser Autofluorescence, MultiColor, and both Widefield and Ultra-Widefield imaging. This multimodal imaging approach helps ensure convenient examinations for all patients.

Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS, principal investigator of the clinical trial, remarked, “The Flex Module has been an indispensable diagnostic tool for patients who would otherwise be difficult to image. Its exceptional image quality allows me to capture the fine details essential for precise diagnosis and treatment planning. For patients in a supine position, the ability to detect macular and optic nerve pathologies ensures that these vulnerable individuals receive timely, sight-saving treatments.”

The SPECTRALIS Flex Module will be showcased at the Heidelberg Engineering exhibition stand (#4444) during the American Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in Chicago, October 19-21, 2024.

For more information about SPECTRALIS Flex Module contact us directly.

The new research from eye care nonprofit Orbis International, supported by Heidelberg Engineering, shows how telemedicine improves outcomes for children with retinoblastoma through e-learning and virtual mentorship

NEW YORK, 20.12.24 – Orbis International announces new research that finds telemedicine can improve care for children with retinoblastoma, a form of childhood cancer that can lead to blindness. The study, published in JCO Global Oncology, is the first to show that virtual mentor-mentee relationships through Cybersight, Orbis’s free telemedicine and e-learning platform, not only improves lives, but can save them by successfully transferring skills to eye care professionals in low- and middle-income countries.

Each year, about 9,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with retinoblastoma, but only 40% survive beyond three years. This is because 92 percent of these children live in low-and-middle-income countries, where retinoblastoma patients face late diagnosis and limited access to eye care. This groundbreaking research was supported by Heidelberg Engineering, a global leader in advanced imaging solutions. Their funding has been crucial in delivering e-learning webinars, alongside advancing research through Orbis’s Cybersight platform.

“Retinoblastoma can be treated if caught early, but too often, it’s not diagnosed until it’s too late,” said Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President of Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis International. “Many low- and middle-incomes countries don’t have enough resources to provide proper care, but technology offers a solution. This study shows that telemedicine can improve health outcomes for children, especially in remote areas where pediatric eye doctors are scarce.”

Cybersight has long been used to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and other eye diseases, but this is the first research on its impact on retinoblastoma. The groundbreaking study explored whether Cybersight Consult – a component of the Cybersight platform that connects mentee doctors with expert mentors for advice on complex clinical cases – could improve care and treatment for retinoblastoma. Researchers also examined how virtual mentoring helps eye care professionals build expertise in retinoblastoma over time.

Researchers conducted a retrospective review of 653 Cybersight retinoblastoma consultations undertaken by 38 different mentees from 2004 to 2023. They found significant improvements in knowledge-sharing over this 20-year period, especially in three areas: understanding and recording patient symptoms, classifying the disease’s type and how advanced it is, and the results of treatment for both the patient and their eye health. Cybersight’s virtual mentorship approach helped mentees gain critical skills to treat retinoblastoma, especially in regions with few eye care resources.

Cybersight provides training, mentoring, and online courses to eye care professionals around the world. The platform has helped train eye care professionals in nearly every country and territory and counts around 15% of the world’s ophthalmologists as registered users.

The study reveals the potential of using communication and digital technologies to help children around the world see – and survive.

About Orbis International

Orbis is an international nonprofit delivering sight-saving programs in over 200 countries and territories worldwide so that individuals, families, and communities can thrive. Currently, around 1 billion people across the globe live with completely avoidable blindness and vision loss. For over four decades, Orbis has been tackling this challenge by building strong and sustainable eye care systems that leave a lasting legacy of vision. Orbis runs dedicated in-country programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America; develops and implements innovative training and technology, including an award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight; and operates the world’s first and only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. For the past 11 consecutive years, Orbis has achieved Charity Navigator‘s coveted four-star rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency, placing Orbis in the top 3% of U.S. charities. For the past three years, Orbis has earned GuideStar‘s platinum Seal of Transparency. Since 2022, Orbis has earned “accredited charity” status from the Better Business Bureau by meeting all 20 of their standards for charity accountability. To learn more, please visit orbis.org.