The medical technology sector sees constant innovation, and a critical area of focus is the safety and efficiency of operating theatres. Alesi Surgical, a company specializing in surgical technology, recently announced it has raised £7 million in a funding round led by IW Capital, with support from existing shareholders IP Group and Mercia Ventures. The objective of this investment is to address a widespread and often underestimated problem: surgical smoke.

This smoke, generated in approximately 90% of the estimated 266 million surgical procedures each year, represents a significant risk. Not only does it impair surgeons' visibility, but it also exposes healthcare staff and patients to harmful aerosols and particulates. Although 95% of surgical smoke is water, the remaining 5% can contain viable viruses, bacteria, and chemicals, presenting short-term infection risks and long-term toxicity hazards for those working in the operating theatre.

Ultravision's Innovative Solution

Historically, the adoption of smoke management solutions has been limited by cumbersome extraction systems that interrupt surgical workflow. However, growing regulatory momentum, led by the US where 20 states have already passed specific regulations, is driving a shift towards "smoke-free" operating theatres becoming the standard of care. In this context, Alesi Surgical's proprietary Ultravision platform offers an innovative alternative to existing products.

Ultravision technology stands out for its use of electrostatic precipitation, which actively removes smoke as it is generated, rather than relying on suction and mechanical filtration. The first-generation Ultravision System has already been used in over 50,000 "keyhole" (laparoscopic and robotic) procedures in Europe, the US, and Japan. Independent studies have shown that, in laparoscopic surgery, smoke is removed from the atmosphere up to 225 times faster than competing technologies.

Operational and Patient Benefits, and the Evolution with Ultravision2

The advantages of Ultravision technology are not limited to efficient smoke removal. The system reduces strain on the patient's body, enabling surgeons to operate at lower abdominal pressure during laparoscopic and robotic procedures. This approach leads to a reduction in CO₂ usage by up to 82%, while maintaining a clear surgical field. Such improvements are associated with reduced surgical time, improved patient outcomes and recovery, and a lower cost per procedure than other available advanced technologies.

In addition to "keyhole" procedures, the recently regulatory-cleared next-generation Ultravision2 System can also be used in open surgery. This is a significant step, as current solutions for open surgery are often described by surgeons as inefficient, bulky, awkward, cumbersome, and noisy. Ultravision2 also offers the ability to use Alesi's own surgical tools, which combine advanced smoke management with tissue dissection functionality.

Future Prospects and Industry Impact

The funding secured will support international commercial expansion and further development of Alesi's Ultravision2 platform, at a time when smoke control regulations are tightening. Dr. Dominic Griffiths, Founder and CEO of Alesi Surgical, emphasizes how electrosurgical tools have transformed modern surgery but also generate surgical smoke that affects the quality and efficiency of surgery and poses risks to operating theatre staff.

"For years, available solutions have required trade-offs between effectiveness and workflow disruption, slowing adoption across the industry," Griffiths stated. "As awareness grows that smoke management is integral to surgical safety and efficiency, solutions that tackle smoke at its source, such as Ultravision2, which is FDA-approved and CE-marked, are becoming increasingly important for supporting the next generation of minimally invasive and robotic procedures." Isobel Egemole, Investment Director at IW Capital, added that "Alesi Surgical offers a fundamentally different approach to smoke management that addresses the problem at its source. As the industry moves toward smoke-free operating theatres becoming the norm, Ultravision2 is well positioned to play a key role."