Lpixel and Olympus have received medical device approval for their AI-powered surgical support system, 'EIRL Surgery LC', designed to assist in laparoscopic cholecystectomy by visualizing anatomical landmarks and reducing bile duct injury risks.
Overview
Lpixel Inc. announced that 'EIRL Surgery LC', an AI system supporting laparoscopic cholecystectomy developed in collaboration with Olympus Corporation, received medical device manufacturing and marketing approval from the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in February 2026.
Background and Purpose
Bile duct injury is a severe complication in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, occurring in approximately 600 cases annually, primarily due to organ misidentification. By combining Lpixel’s image analysis AI technology with Olympus’s expertise in endoscopes, this system utilizes learned 'tacit knowledge' from expert surgeons to assist in landmark recognition, aiming to prevent bile duct injuries.
Features and Performance
During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the product segments and displays four key anatomical landmarks on the surgical monitor:
- Extrahepatic bile duct
- Cystic duct
- S4 inferior margin
- Rouviere’s sulcus
Clinical evaluation involving 44 surgical videos and 12 doctors demonstrated improved accuracy in landmark recognition compared to manual identification without AI support.
Future Prospects
With the cooperation of Olympus Corporation, Lpixel will proceed with evaluating the product in domestic medical institutions and accelerate the implementation of medical AI into society.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: New Product
- Products / services: EIRL Surgery LC
FAQ
What is EIRL Surgery LC?
It is an AI-equipped medical device that assists in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It analyzes anatomical landmarks that serve as criteria for determining the resection site and displays them on the monitor during surgery to support the surgeon's decision-making.
What are the expected benefits of introducing EIRL Surgery LC?
Clinical trials have confirmed that it improves the accuracy of landmark recognition in areas such as the extrahepatic bile duct, contributing to a reduction in serious complications like bile duct injury.
What is the relationship between Elpixel and Olympus?
In March 2024, we signed a joint business agreement to start developing an AI-based surgical support system. This collaboration integrates Elpixel's image analysis AI technology with Olympus' endoscopy expertise.
When did you obtain the manufacturing and marketing authorization for the product?
We obtained the manufacturing and marketing authorization from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in February 2026, based on the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.
What are the future plans for the product?
With the cooperation of Olympus, we will advance the evaluation of this product in domestic medical institutions and aim to accelerate research and development and its practical implementation.