Inside operating theatres around the world, an invisible hazard has long been overlooked. Surgical smoke, produced during procedures, not only clouds a surgeon’s view but also exposes medical teams and patients to harmful particles. Alesi Surgical is now tackling this issue head on, securing £7 million in new funding to advance its innovative smoke management technology and expand its global reach.
Fresh Investment to Drive Growth
The funding round was led by IW Capital, with continued support from existing investors IP Group and Mercia Ventures.
This investment will enable Alesi Surgical to accelerate international expansion while continuing to develop its next generation Ultravision2 platform, positioning the company to meet increasing regulatory demands around surgical smoke control.
A Hidden Risk in Modern Surgery
Surgical smoke is generated in approximately 90 percent of procedures, with around 266 million surgeries performed globally each year. While most of the smoke consists of water, a small but significant portion contains harmful substances, including bacteria, viruses, and chemical compounds.
This creates both immediate and long term risks for operating theatre staff, ranging from infection exposure to potential toxicity. Additionally, the presence of smoke can impair visibility during procedures, making surgeries more challenging and potentially affecting outcomes.
Limitations of Traditional Solutions
Historically, efforts to manage surgical smoke have relied on extraction systems that use suction and filtration. However, these systems are often bulky, noisy, and disruptive to surgical workflows.
As a result, adoption has remained limited despite the known risks. This is beginning to change as regulatory pressure increases, particularly in the United States, where multiple states have introduced legislation to promote smoke free operating environments.
A New Approach with Ultravision Technology
Alesi Surgical has developed a fundamentally different solution through its proprietary Ultravision platform. Instead of relying on suction, the system uses electrostatic precipitation to remove smoke directly at its source as it is generated.
This approach allows for continuous smoke management without interrupting the surgical process. The first generation system has already been used in more than 50,000 laparoscopic and robotic procedures across Europe, the United States, and Japan.
Independent studies have shown that the technology can remove smoke up to 225 times faster than traditional methods in certain procedures, significantly improving visibility for surgeons.
Benefits for Patients and Surgeons
Beyond improving working conditions in the operating theatre, the technology also offers clinical benefits. By maintaining a clear surgical field, surgeons can operate at lower abdominal pressure during minimally invasive procedures.
This reduces carbon dioxide usage by up to 82 percent, which can lead to shorter surgery times, improved patient recovery, and lower overall costs per procedure. These advantages make the technology particularly relevant for the growing field of robotic and minimally invasive surgery.
Expanding Capabilities with Ultravision2
The company’s latest innovation, the Ultravision2 system, extends these benefits to open surgery, where existing smoke management solutions have often been impractical. The new system is designed to be more efficient and user friendly, addressing common concerns about traditional equipment.
It also integrates with Alesi’s own surgical tools, combining smoke management with tissue dissection capabilities, further enhancing its utility in the operating room.
Meeting a Growing Global Need
As awareness of surgical smoke risks continues to grow, the demand for effective and unobtrusive solutions is increasing. Alesi Surgical is positioning itself at the forefront of this shift, offering technology that aligns with both regulatory trends and clinical needs.
With new funding in place, the company aims to scale its operations globally and continue refining its technology, helping to make smoke free operating theatres the new standard in healthcare.
