Why the SAGES-IRCAD Partnership is a Win for 3D Innovation

The landscape of modern surgical education is shifting, and the recent announcement that the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has formed a strategic partnership with IRCAD North Americamarks a historic milestone. As IRCAD North America prepares to open its doors at “The Pearl” in Charlotte, this collaboration brings together the world’s premier surgical training network and a global authority on endoscopic surgery. This alignment is more than just a formal agreement; it reflects the broader technological journey that has unfolded within the IRCAD training ecosystem, where the core innovation behind the AED EndoPro 3D Monostereo Visualization System was further refined through collaboration and clinical feedback.

The heritage of this 3D visualization technology is deeply rooted in the IRCAD ecosystem. Long before this partnership was formalized in North America, the software-based system was developed through extensive study involving over 7,000 surgeons across the global IRCAD network. By integrating the feedback of international experts, the technology addressed a fundamental dilemma in the operating room: providing critical depth perception and spatial awareness without requiring a total overhaul of existing surgical towers.

This technological foundation has been a staple at SAGES annual meetings since 2017, earning high satisfaction from clinicians who recognized 3D visualization as a defining trend in the evolution of minimally invasive surgery.

Today, the AED EndoPro 3D Monostereo Visualization System stands as a bridge between that proven legacy and the new standards being set by SAGES and IRCAD. While the partnership in Charlotte focuses on fostering hands-on learning in robotics and AI-driven procedures, it also highlights the necessity of smart investments. Hospitals and clinics no longer need to face the massive capital hurdles of replacing entire imaging towers to achieve modern visualization. Because the AED EndoPro 3D Monostereo Visualization System is a plug-and-play system with universal compatibility, it allows facilities to upgrade to the high-definition 3D standards championed within leading surgical training environments without discarding their existing equipment.

As Dr. Brent Matthews, President of SAGES, noted, this partnership is designed to “collectively shape the future of surgery.” That future is being informed by technologies refined through collaboration within IRCAD training environments. By aligning proven surgical research with modern distribution, the “bench to bedside” transition is becoming more seamless. Surgeons can take the lead in the OR with visualization platforms that reflect the standards being advanced at IRCAD North America.

Read the Press Release: Discover the details of the strategic partnership at the new innovation district in Charlotte: IRCAD North America Forms Strategic Partnership with SAGES.

Explore the Technology: Revisit the 2018 breakthrough where IRCAD leadership illustrated the evolution of the MonoStereo 3D image: MedicalTek MonoStereo 3D for Endoscopic Surgery.

References:

SAGES Newsroom. IRCAD North America Forms Strategic Partnership with SAGES to Advance Surgical Education and Innovation. August 26, 2025.

Business Wire. MedicalTek MonoStereo 3D for Endoscopic Surgery: Keep 2D, See 3D! November 1, 2018.

BioSpace. Keep 2D, See 3D!: A Better Image for Endoscopic Surgery. November 1, 2018.

Experience a smarter way to source endoscopy equipment—all in one place.

✔ Wide selection of trusted endoscopy brands

✔ Competitive pricing without compromising quality

✔ Fast, reliable access to the tools you need—when you need them

👉 Explore how EndoPro® 3D can transform your surgical technique.