July 25, 2025 - Cision Vision

Evaluation of a novel “gross room” device aiming to increase lymph node yield in colorectal cancer specimens: Preliminary results

Posted on July 25, 2025July 29, 2025 by Mariana-A

Background:

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the US. Staging is crucial to assess prognosis and treatment options. According to AJCC guidelines, at least 12 lymph nodes are required for nodal staging. However, previous studies showed the importance of retrieving as many lymph nodes as possible. Herein, we evaluated a novel, optical imaging-based device using infrared light a.k.a. CisionVision (Cision Vision, Mountain View, CA; Fig. 1) to increase lymph node yield in colorectal cancer specimens.

Design:

The CisionVision device has increased the lymph node yield significantly in all categories except low-anterior resection (Tab. 1). This result is likely due to a small number of subjects. The increase in lymph node yield was significant when all subjects were included in the analysis (average increase of 53%). The size of the lymph nodes was compared in each case separately, also categorically. This increase was particularly notable for smaller lymph nodes (<3 mm; Fig 2). In 19 cases, lymph nodes found by the device were significantly smaller, however in three cases, there was no significant difference. In the entire study, a total of 21 metastatic lymph nodes were harvested from 7 nodal positive cases; 20 by conventional grossing and 1 by CisionVision device where a patient was upstaged from T1 N1a M0 to T1 N1b M0.

Results:

Results Table:

Conclusion:

The CisionVision device significantly increases lymph node yield, especially for smaller nodes, leading to potential stage changes in some cases (4.5%). While further research is needed to address limitations and explore broader clinical implications, our preliminary findings highlight its potential value in colorectal cancer pathology.

Authors

Chicago, IL, United States

Franklin Park, IL, United States

Libertyville, IL, United States

Enhanced Lymph Node Detection in Pancreatic Resection Cases Using CisionVision: An Institutional Study

Posted on July 25, 2025July 28, 2025 by Mariana-A

Background:

Accurate staging and prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma rely on the precise identification of regional lymph nodes (LNs). The AJCC 8th edition classifies LNs into N1 & N2 stages based on the number of LNs involved, making LN identification critical. A smaller number of LNs carries the risk of under-staging the patient while reevaluating LNs and submitting fat fragments risks overcounting LNs and upstaging the patient. CisionVision (Cision Vision, CA) (CV) is a real-time shortwave infrared imaging device to locate lymph nodes by highlighting water content contrast (Fig. 1). This study explores the utility of CV in increasing LN detection and minimizing fat submission in pancreatic resection cases.

Design:

We prospectively enrolled 8 pancreatic resection cases (4 Whipple & 4 distal pancreatectomy) from June to September 2023. Primary grossers (PG) with varying levels of expertise identified LNs manually. Subsequently, a single secondary grosser (SG) utilized CV to extract additional LNs, and the remaining fat was submitted for evaluation (Fig. 2). The average number of LNs for manual extraction, remaining fat, intended LN cassettes, and fat cassettes were calculated. Incidental LNs found microscopically were included in PGs’ LN count.

Results:

Results Table:

Conclusion:

In our Our experience, CV use in pancreatic resection cases demonstrated a 79% increase in LN extraction and a 66% reduction in LN detection in remaining fat. This improvement has the potential to eliminate the need for remaining fat submission, leading to reduced costs, improved grosser accuracy, and ultimately better patient outcomes by more precise staging, and tailored treatment approaches. However, we acknowledge the small sample size of the study, further large-scale validation using CV at the time of initial grossing is underway, recruiting more cases and various organ resections.

Authors

Des Plaines, IL, United States

Libertyville, IL, United States

Chicago, IL, United States

The Effectiveness of InVision, an Optical Imaging Device, in Assisting with Lymph Node Retrieval

Posted on July 25, 2025July 28, 2025 by Mariana-A

Abstract

This colorectal case study was part of a joint study conducted by Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories, Rosalind Franklin University, and Cision Vision Inc. InVision is an optical device that provides enhanced contrast between lymph nodes and surrounding adipose tissue based upon differing chemical compositions in real-time without the use of radiation or contrast media.¹

Through use of Cision Vision’s innovative technology, InVision (Fig. 1), lymph node yield drastically improved. Consequently, with the increase in lymph node yield, the pN (N-regional lymph node) category of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) staging system was impacted.

Introduction

Lymph node retrieval in surgically excised specimens is one of the most challenging tasks completed in anatomic pathology. It can take a prosector multiple hours to finish a single lymph node search. When such searches are inadequate and the established minimums for lymph node count are not met, re-grossing is required which prolongs turnaround time for a case. Lymph node yield is of significant clinical consequence for cancer patients. Decades of clinical evidence has shown a strong correlation between the number of lymph nodes examined and patient survival.² Therefore, prosectors are encouraged to find all the lymph nodes in each relevant specimen regardless of the time it takes and challenges it creates. This problem has also been exacerbated by the recent advent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy which shrinks the size of lymph nodes making them more difficult to find, particularly for colorectal cancer cases.

Cision Vision’s InVision product is a novel imaging device that depicts lymph nodes in high contrast against the surrounding adipose tissue.¹ This is done in real-time without the need for injections or radiation. The technology was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Drs. Angela Belcher and Jeremy Li. It utilizes shortwave infrared light that exploits the natural water content differences which exist between lymph nodes and fat.³ Lymph nodes are high in water content. Therefore, they absorb the shortwave infrared light and appear dark on imaging. This is in contrast to adipose tissue which has a low water content and reflects light, appearing bright on imaging. Aided by the real-time visualization of lymph nodes, a prosector can palpate and dissect the tissue directly on top of the InVision imaging platform. Therefore, the prosector’s tactile skills are reinforced by the real-time visual feedback provided by the InVision device.

In this case study, the effectiveness of the InVision device was evaluated by comparing it to the results of manual palpation from a Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) with 20 years of grossing experience. The PA manually palpated the specimen and searched for lymph nodes. The lymph nodes retrieved during this step were gathered and labeled as the first batch. The PA then went through the remaining adipose tissue scanning it with use of the InVision device to see if there were additional lymph nodes that were missed during the initial, manual palpation step. If lymph nodes were found by scanning with the InVision device, these lymph nodes were submitted as a second batch. The numbers of lymph nodes in both batches are confirmed through routine histologic examination. Comparison of the lymph node counts between the two batches provided insight into the effectiveness of the InVision device for lymph node retrieval.

Case History

A 46-year-old Caucasian male presented to his general practitioner (GP) with complaints of persistent, nonspecific pelvic pain. Family history was unremarkable for rectal cancer and no associated risk factors were reported. Subsequently, the patient was referred for MRI which revealed suspected adenocarcinoma of the rectum that was clinically staged as IVA (cT3, cN1b, cM1). The primary mass was circumferential, 2.1 cm on imaging, and located 6 cm from the anal verge with mesorectal fascia involvement (MRF+), and suspicious mesorectal and presacral lymph nodes. A solitary liver mass was also present, measuring 1.5 cm in greatest dimension. Biopsies were taken of the both the rectal and liver masses. The rectal mass biopsy revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and the liver mass biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma compatible with a rectal primary. After initial diagnosis, the patient received combination neoadjuvant therapy which consisted of FOLFIRINOX+Avastin and short course radiation over 4 consecutive days. Upon completion of the aforementioned therapy, the patient underwent a low anterior resection (Fig. 2) in conjunction with a hepatic wedge excision of segments 7 and 8.

Pathologic examination of the low anterior resection was completed via use of the Quirke method. This method of prosection allows for thorough visualization of the tumor in relation to the mesorectal/circumferential radial margin (CRM) by leaving the specimen intact within the area of the mass. This area is serially sectioned from proximal to distal at 3 to 5 mm intervals and the corresponding sections are subsequently referred to as levels. Sectioning of this case revealed a 2.5 x 1.3 x 0.3 cm centrally ulcerated, endophytic, tan mass within levels 2-5 (Fig. 3). The mass measured 0.6 cm from the distal margin, 18.5 cm from the proximal margin, 0.8 cm from the anterior mesorectal margin and extended below the peritoneal reflection with focal infiltration into the muscularis propria.

As for the lymph node search, 19 lymph nodes were identified in total, 8 via use of traditional manual palpation by the prosector and 11 via use of the InVision device. Two out of eight lymph nodes found were microscopically positive for metastatic adenocarcinoma from the manual palpation batch;
1 out of 11 nodes were microscopically positive from the batch retrieved with assistance from the InVision device.

Due to the fact that only 8 lymph nodes were found through the traditional manual palpation method, which falls short of the established minimum of 12 stipulated by AJCC and the College of American Pathologists (CAP), this case would be subject to re-grossing.

With the assistance of InVision, the total number was increased to 19, a 137.5% increase in lymph node count, bringing it into compliance with lymph node yield requirements. More importantly, because one additional positive lymph node was found, the patient’s N category was upstaged from ypN1a to ypN1b (Fig. 4).² The final diagnosis was residual invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum without involvement of the margins and metastatic adenocarcinoma with extensive liver necrosis, consistent with metastasis from a rectal primary. The pathologic stage was reported as ypT2 pN1b PM1a.

Discussion

Colorectal cancer staging utilizes the TNM system established by AJCC. Pre-fix “p” designates pathologic stage while “c” denotes clinical stage. Cases staged subsequent to use of neoadjuvant therapy utilize the pre-fix “yp”. These designations are important for QA/QC purposes across professions. As with any cancer, as the stage increases, patient prognosis inevitably decreases.

A minimum number of regional nodes is needed for accurate N category staging and is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and accepted by the AJCC and CAP (Fig. 4).⁴ The minimum number of lymph nodes determined to be adequate for accurate colorectal cancer staging is 12. For reasons unknown, an association has been found between examination of 12 or more lymph nodes and improved patient survival.⁴

Additionally, as outlined in the Intergroup Trial INT – 0089, conducted by Le Voyer TE, Sigurdson ER, Hanlon AL, et al., an increase in the number of lymph nodes examined correlated with an increase in survival in patients with node negative and node positive disease.⁵ These findings highlight the importance of lymph node yield for accurate N category staging and predictions related to patient survival.

Use of the novel InVision device, in this instance, upstaged the patient from ypN1a to ypN1b and improved lymph node yield by 137.5%. By doing so, correlation within the N category between clinical and pathologic staging was achieved. In this particular case, the minor staging change does not alter the patient’s treatment regimen. However, it is reasonable to assume that there might be instances where InVision can potentially assist prosectors in finding positive lymph nodes that could have been missed through use of manual palpation techniques alone; therefore, rendering consequential changes to staging and treatment options. Larger studies need to be completed to have a more thorough and accurate assessment of the effectiveness of InVision.

Conclusion:

Use of InVision improved lymph node retrieval by allowing the institution to meet the NCCN recommendation. It also impacted staging within the N category and decreased turnaround time through elimination of the need for re-grossing. While this is a single example of the value the innovative device provided, larger studies are being conducted to determine the impact on patient care and subsequent treatment decisions.

Authors

Chicago, IL, United States

Milwaukee, WI, United States

Mountain View, CA, United States

References

Cision Vision Inc. https://cisionvision.com. Accessed May 2023.
Amin MB, Edge SB, Greene FL, et al. AJCC Cancer Staging Manual 8th ed. Springer, 2018. Print.
Li, Z., Huang, S., He, Y., et al. bioRxiv 2023.01.13.523938; doi: https://doi org/10.1101/2023.01.13.523938.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – Colon Cancer. Version 3.2022.
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/colon.pdf. Accessed March 2023.
Le Voyer TE, Sigurdson ER, Hanlon AL, et al. Colon cancer survival is associated with increasing number of lymph nodes analyzed: a secondary survey of intergroup trial INT-0089. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:29122919. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12885809.

The Use of InVision as a New Modality for Lymph Node Dissection to Standardize Variability without Sacrificing Patient Care

Posted on July 25, 2025September 4, 2025 by Mariana-A

Abstract

Lymph node dissection is an important step in grossing, in which findings go on to affect patient prognosis and care management. The standard technique for finding lymph nodes is through manual palpation – an expertise that usually takes years to gain. The only way to improve on such skills is through practicing through the real clinical cases, where patient care is on the line. This could present potential possibilities for less-than-optimal patient outcomes. Fixatives, such as Dissect Aid and Carnoy’s solutions, are sometimes used to help address this issue. But they significantly increase the overall turnaround time, expose prosectors to potential health hazards, while still only marginally mitigate the issue. In this abstract, we introduce the InVision, a new optical imager for gross examination produced by Cision Vision, as a new modality that will aid finding lymph nodes and gaining experience for newer and inexperienced prosectors, without sacrificing patient care. Its real-time imaging capability also removes the need for chemical fixative – shortening the turnaround time and eliminating exposure to health hazard.

Background

Lymph node status and yield are major indicators in prognostication and cancer care management. The N-stage and number of metastatic lymph nodes yielded during grossing go on to define patient treatment and suggest patient prognosis. Although there are lymph node minimums in certain tumor types, literature1 suggests that finding lymph nodes in excess of these minimums provides higher quality patient care. Generally speaking, a higher yield of lymph nodes provides more confident insight to lymph node staging and thus avoiding understaging and its consequence of withholding vital treatment for the patient.

Literature2 suggests that inconsistencies in lymph node yields can be found at the hospital level. Prosectors of lymph node dissection range from pathologists, Pathologists’ Assistant, or the residents. Gaining expertise and skill in the difficult craft of lymph node searches through manual palpation requires practice in caseloads. This means that inexperienced prosectors must begin their practice on real patient specimens.

While the learning-through-doing approach is generally true for medical practitioners throughout different specialties and tasks, lymph node searches through manual palpation is unique in three different aspects – (1) it is extremely clinically consequential, (2) it is extremely technically challenging, and (3) mistakes are not detectable due to intrinsic variabilities across individual specimens.

While there is not a defined expectation of efficiency for newer prosectors, time is a valuable and finite resource, especially since most gross rooms are severely understaffed. The time pressure to fulfill considerate amount of workload responsibilities while gaining experience at the same time means patient care can potentially be comprised along the way.

Current alternatives exist but are limited to chemical aids, of which available options are limited to irritants and carcinogens, and all require additional fixation. Non-chemical aids currently do not exist as a standard of care.

InVision is based on a new optical imaging modality invented by Cision Vision. It uses ex-military technologies that were previously inaccessible to civil applications. The fundamental mechanism is that InVision uses shortwave infrared light that lets the natural water content contrast between fat and lymph nodes manifest itself in real time without any injection or radiation. Most importantly, it does not replace the manual palpation, but rather enhance it by providing an additional dimension of information – real time visual feedback. In the context of prosector education, the tactile feeling memory of lymph nodes through manual palpation can be reinforced by the visual feedback – therefore potentially shortening the learning curve for gaining expertise in lymph node searches.

Methodology

The prosectors begin lymph node dissection by sectioning and removing fat or other soft tissue with suspected lymph node candidates, and place against the screen of the device. With the tissue of interest on the functional platform, the prosector manually palpates for lymph nodes, and/or sections the tissue to reveal lymph node candidates. While the prosector grosses for lymph nodes against the platform, the device screen reveals a contrasted image that highlights lymphoid tissue against non-lymphoid tissue. Lymphoid tissue appears as a darker structure, while fatty tissue appears as lighter-to-translucent structures. The prosector combines the manual palpation and/or sectioning with the visual contrast provided by the device to more quickly acknowledge and submit lymph nodes for histopathology.

As a proof-of-concept study, subjective interviews were carried out to assess the usability and the potential educational value of the InVision product. Users with different experienced levels, from PA students, residents, pathologists and extremely experienced PAs, were interviewed and surveyed.

Results

The interviewees expressed unanimous positive responses to the usability of the InVision product. Quotes include:

“That’s amazing. The amount of Friday nights in residency that could have been save by this are ridiculous” – Pathologist.

“I love this idea — something that we had been dreaming of as residents.” – Pathologist

“I became a neuropathologist because there wasn’t something like this when I was a resident years ago.” – Pathologist

“This device definitely makes finding lymph nodes a lot easier and it gives you the confidence that there is no lymph node left in the residual fat tissue even after the first round of gross.” – Resident

“This definitely helped me find lymph nodes that I could have missed.” – PA with 20+ years of grossing experience

“This makes finding lymph nodes far less intimidating. It also makes the process far less tedious too.” – new PA with minimal experience

Conclusion:

Lymph node yield is paramount to patient care and prognosis, and may be affected in a learning setting with newer prosectors. The InVision device introduces a new modality to lymph node dissection and can be a valuable tool in reinforcing confidence and experience, without sacrificing patient care.

Authors

Mountain View, CA

Shortwave Infrared Orthogonal Polarization Imaging for label-free nerve visualization: A preliminary cadaveric study

Posted on July 25, 2025September 4, 2025 by Mariana-A

Objective

Intraoperative identification and mapping of cranial nerves remain some of the most challenging tasks in neurosurgery. Shortwave Infrared Orthogonal Polarization Imaging (SWIR-OPI) is an emerging technology that leverages significant water absorption at specific wavelengths to precisely detect and distinguish tissues with varying water content. Theoretically, nerves, which have lower water content, can be effectively distinguished from the higher water content environment of the cerebral cortex using SWIR-OPI. However, this technology has not yet been applied in any neurosurgical scenarios. This study investigates the potential application of SWIR-OPI in neurosurgery by examining its real-time imaging capabilities in fresh human and sheep cadaveric specimens.

Methods

SWIR-OPI images were collected from ten fresh, unembalmed human cadaveric specimens and five fresh sheep specimens. Anatomical landmarks, including cranial nerves, neural fibers, and cerebral cortex, were systematically evaluated. The Weber Contrast coefficient was employed to quantitatively analyze and compare the visibility of these structures within different environments.

Results

An exoscopy system equipped with SWIR-OPI, integrating high-performance SWIR light sources, linear polarizers, SWIR lenses, and InGaAs cameras, has been successfully established (Figure 1A). Analysis of SWIR-OPI images from cross-sectional sheep brains demonstrated that the 1550 nm wavelength exhibited the highest specificity for white matter tissues, with a significantly higher Weber Contrast coefficient compared to other short wavelengths (p<0.01, Figure 1B, C). Under 1550 nm SWIR-OPI, cranial nerves and fiber bundles (white matter) appeared as high-signal (white) regions due to their lower water content, while the cerebral cortex and nuclei (gray matter), with higher water content, appeared as low-signal (black) regions. The application of SWIR-OPI in cadaveric human heads revealed distinct and consistent patterns of high Weber Contrast coefficients in cranial nerves and fiber bundles compared to visible light imaging (p<0.01, Figure 1D, E). On the surface and cross-sections of the brainstem, SWIR-OPI images identified nuclei and gray matter contours that were indiscernible with standard visible light (Figure 1F-I).

Conclusion:

SWIR-OPI provides clear, label-free, and real-time visualization of cranial nerves and fibers within surrounding cerebral structures, demonstrating significant potential for precise intraoperative nerve identification and mapping.

Authors

Palo Alto, CA

Mountain View, CA

Palo Alto, CA

Shortwave Infrared Orthogonal Polarization Imaging for label-free nerve visualization: A preliminary cadaveric study

Posted on July 25, 2025July 28, 2025 by Mariana-A

Objective

Methods

Results

An exoscopy system equipped with SWIR-OPI, integrating high-performance SWIR light sources, linear polarizers, SWIR lenses, and InGaAs cameras, has been successfully established (Figure 1A). Analysis of SWIR-OPI images from cross-sectional sheep brains demonstrated that the 1550 nm wavelength exhibited the highest specificity for white matter tissues, with a significantly higher Weber Contrast coefficient compared to other short wavelengths (p<0.01, Figure 1B, C). Under 1550 nm SWIR-OPI, cranial nerves and fiber bundles (white matter) appeared as high-signal (white) regions due to their lower water content, while the cerebral cortex and nuclei (gray matter), with higher water content, appeared as low-signal (black) regions. The application of SWIR-OPI in cadaveric human heads revealed distinct and consistent patterns of high Weber Contrast coefficients in cranial nerves and fiber bundles compared to visible light imaging (p<0.01, Figure 1D, E). On the surface and cross-sections of the brainstem, SWIR-OPI images identified nuclei and gray matter contours that were indiscernible with standard visible light (Figure 1F-I).

Conclusion:

Authors

Palo Alto, CA

Mountain View, CA

Palo Alto, CA