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• Demonstration of innovative VCSEL solution for clinical applications at TRUMPF, Booth 833 at Photonics West in San Francisco;
• Power-efficient and compact optoacoustic imaging system towards routine clinical use;
• VCSEL-based subsystem can replace current photonic systems.
TRUMPF Photonic Components, a global leader in VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) solutions for industrial and consumer sensing, and iThera Medical are introducing a solution for optoacoustic imaging for clinical applications. This VCSEL-based subsystem can replace current photonic systems and is the game changer for routine clinical use, starting with soft tissue perfusion and oxygenation measurements, applicable to a wide range of diseases. “The power-efficient and compact photonic solution of TRUMPF and iThera is scalable and paves the way towards future patch and sensor optoacoustic applications. The VCSEL technology, with its benefits like precision, compact structure, energy efficiency and wide range of wavelengths is perfect for this application,” said Alexander Weigl, Head of Product Management at TRUMPF Photonic Components. “At TRUMPF Photonic Components, we view the medical technology and life sciences sector as a growth area for numerous VCSEL wavelengths and applications," he added.
“Using VCSELs will allow us to cut light-source-related costs, volume and power consumption of our market-leading optoacoustic imaging devices by a factor of 100,” explained Patrick Leisching, CTO at iThera Medical GmbH. “Additionally, compared with the currently used tunable solid-state lasers, the VCSEL subsystem results in a downgrade of the laser safety classification from its current Class 4 to Class 1, eliminating the need for special safety measures, and it will provide a substantially improved operating stability,” he commented. “These game-changing improvements will facilitate the translation of our technology from research into routine diagnostic use and also enable future sensing applications, making optoacoustic technology widely accessible across different care settings,” he said.
The photonic subsystem presented is based on a compact set-up of high power VCSEL arrays and bare ToF CMOS driver chips. The heat dissipation can be buffered in a small copper block, so the subsystem can be directly mounted within a medical handheld device with no active cooling.
Visit TRUMPF at Photonics West 2025, Booth 833
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About TRUMPF Photonic Components
TRUMPF Photonic Components (trumpf.com) is a global technology leader, supplying VCSEL and photodiode solutions for consumer electronics, datacom, industrial sensing and heating markets. More than two billion VCSEL chips and photodiodes have been shipped worldwide so far. The employees continue to drive the technological know-how established for over 20 years now in order to maintain its leadership position. The long-established technology was acquired by TRUMPF in 2019. The company has its headquarters in Ulm, Germany, with further sales locations in the Netherlands, China, Korea and the US.
TRUMPF Photonic Components belongs to the TRUMPF Group, a high-tech company offering manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools and laser technology. It drives digital connectivity in manufacturing through consulting, platform products and software. TRUMPF is one of the technology and market leaders in highly versatile machine tools for sheet metal processing and in the field of industrial lasers.
In 2023/24, TRUMPF employed 19,018 people and generated sales of 5.2 billion euros. With about 90 companies, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly every European country as well as in North America, South America and Asia. The company has production facilities in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Mexico and China.
About iThera Medical
iThera Medical (ithera-medical.com) is the leader in optoacoustic imaging (OAI) with a global customer base in preclinical and clinical research. OAI has the potential to become a widely used clinical diagnostic technique with an initial indication focus on the assessment of muscle perfusion and oxygen saturation in peripheral arterial disease and neuromuscular diseases.
The company was founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the Helmholtz Center Munich and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
Press contact: Jenni Martin-Krüger - Marketing Manager
P: +49 89 700 7449-17 - E: jenni.martin[.]ithera-medical.com.
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