MIRACLE - art photonics

Latest News

21 October 2026

Day of Photonics 2026

By Stanislav Perevoschikov

Today, 21 October, is the Day of Photonics. The date marks the day in 1983 when the General Conference on Weights and Measures fixed the speed of light at exactly 299,792,458 m/s. The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) started the Day of Photonics in 2014 to make the field more visible outside labs and companies. […]

20 October 2026

Flexible CO₂ laser delivery at 10.6 µm: PIR fibers vs hollow waveguides

By Stanislav Perevoschikov

art photonics Technical Note 007 Both polycrystalline silver halide fibers (PIR) and hollow waveguides (HWG) from art photonics transmit up to 85–90 % of CO₂ laser radiation (10.6 µm) through a 1 m high-power cable. Choose a PIR fiber when the cable must bend, move or run long distances: a full 360° loop costs only […]

Latest Events

13 October 2026

analytica China 2026 | 16-18 November 2026 | Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), China

By Stanislav Perevoschikov

art photonics will be represented at analytica China 2026 in Shanghai from 16 to 18 November 2026. Together with our local distribution partner, UniqueRay Technologies Limited (Uray), we will be presenting our specialty fiber-optic solutions for inline Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and laboratory spectroscopy at Booth # E6.6920. At art photonics, we design and manufacture […]

9 September 2026

CIOE 2026 | 9-11 September 2026 | Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, China

By Stanislav Perevoschikov

art photonics GmbH is currently exhibiting at the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE) 2026 in Shenzhen. From September 9-11, we are represented at this premier industry event by our partner, UniqueRay Technologies Limited. Industry professionals are invited to visit Stand 8B16 to review our advanced portfolio of specialty fiber optic solutions. UniqueRay is showcasing our […]

MIRACLE: Mid-infrared arthroscopy innovative imaging system for real-time clinical in depth examination and diagnosis of degenerative joint diseases

MIRACLE will push towards commercialisation the first mid-infrared (MIR) arthroscopy probe for in-depth evaluation of articular cartilage enabling early diagnosis of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). The proposed device is intended for use during arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery. Currently, the surgeon’s decision-making is based on visual inspection and manual probing of the cartilage tissue which is highly subjective and of poor repeatability. MIRACLE concept is to assess changes to the biochemical composition of articular cartilage, which precede OA. This will be achieved combining three novel photonics components: (i) a quantum cascade laser array tailored to biodiagnostics, (ii) an on-chip beam combiner for efficient radiation coupling, and (iii) a MIR sensing probe for imaging. These components will be integrated in a medical device to be placed in the arthroscopy market. In addition, to add value to the European medical equipment industry, MIRACLE strives towards cost reduction of OA patients contributing to more affordable public healthcare and promoting well-being in the European ageing population.

art photonics‘ role in joint work will be to develop and provide flexible IR-fibers for quantum cascade lasers (QCL) coupling with the distal end of arthroscopic probe.

The unique polycrystalline fiber technology for 4-16µm range and unique design of ATR-diamond tip will enable efficient and flexible coupling of QCL with detector. This worldwide first prototype of IR-fiber spectral sensor will open the first opportunity to see molecular changes in cartilage composition in-vivo, to link them with its specific decease and find the best way of the related treatment for a fast cartilage recovery.

This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 780598. The project is an initiative of the Photonics Public Private Partnership.