The family-owned MedTech company KARL STORZ has acquired the software manufacturer Innersight Labs (ISL), headquartered in London. ISL has developed software to enable surgeons to create patient-specific 3D models from CT or MRI scans.

KARL STORZ notes that in addition to its state-of-the-art endoscopes, high-end medical devices, and integrated solutions for the operating room, the company is also continuing to expand in innovative software solutions. KARL STORZ points out that its large customer base, including physicians worldwide, can now look forward to having the ability to work with 3D models from medical scans, which will make surgery considerably easier and more successful. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Credit: Innersight Labs / KARL STORZ

“We want to continue pioneering MedTech, particularly in the areas of software and robotics. The research background that ISL brings to the table therefore fits ideally with our vision, mission, and strategic goals. We warmly welcome them to the KARL STORZ family,” said Thorsten Molitor, Executive Vice President at KARL STORZ.

ISL is a British company founded in 2015 by Oxford graduates Lorenz Berger and Eoin Hyde, and they were joined shortly thereafter by Matt Gibb, another former Oxford PhD student. The ISL team also
has in-depth knowledge of soft tissue deformation and mechanics, computa­tional physics, image processing and machine learning, as well as experience in cloud software development.

ISL developed Innersight3D, a software-only product that allows surgeons to create a patient-specific 3D model from a medical CT or MRI scan. The three-dimensional representation can then be accessed and interacted with via a web link sent to the physician. Because of the more accurate preoperative assessment, benefits include, for example, reducing operation time and the risk of surgical complications. Compared to competing products, ISL’s AI-based algorithm can significantly reduce manual effort, reducing cost per model and time to deployment.

Following the acquisition, the next steps are to focus on commercial scaling and joint technology development.

The acquisition of ISL adds an AI product to KARL STORZ’s existing portfolio and marks the next step on their journey to include AI in laparoscopic and robotic imaging solutions for the healthcare industry.

KARL STORZ VentureOne

KARL STORZ VentureOne, a KARL STORZ subsidiary with a focus on robotics based in Singapore and Munich, is also anticipating close cooperation with ISL.

“The development of our robotic products will benefit enormously from ISL’s knowledge with regard to the use of AI. We are therefore very much looking forward to the cooperation and to further growing together in this area,” said Stephan Abele, Managing Director of KARL STORZ VentureOne.