Royal Philips has announced the acquisition of SpectraWAVE, Inc., a Massachusetts-based innovator in Enhanced Vascular Imaging (EVI) and AI-driven coronary physiology assessment, marking a significant expansion of its image-guided therapy portfolio. The deal, effective December 15, 2025, strengthens Philips’ leadership in interventional cardiology by integrating SpectraWAVE’s advanced technologies into its Azurion platform, a next-generation system used in over 80 countries to guide minimally invasive procedures. The acquisition supports Philips’ strategy to deliver more precise, efficient, and patient-centered care through the convergence of imaging, AI, and interventional tools. SpectraWAVE’s HyperVue Imaging System combines DeepOCT (next-generation optical coherence tomography) and NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) to provide high-resolution structural and compositional images of coronary arteries during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). This enables clinicians to better assess plaque composition and guide stent placement. The system is designed for rapid setup, automated AI analysis, and seamless integration with Philips’ existing Eagle Eye Platinum IVUS and IntraSight technologies, expanding the clinician’s imaging toolkit to include IVUS, DeepOCT, NIRS, and wire- and angio-derived physiology—all within a unified platform. Complementing this, SpectraWAVE’s X1-FFR is an AI-powered, angiography-derived Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) solution that calculates coronary ischemia from a single X-ray image, eliminating the need for invasive wires. This innovation supports wire-free physiological assessment, broadening access to coronary physiology in routine practice and improving workflow efficiency. X1-FFR will integrate with Philips’ OmniWire iFR technology, creating a versatile, AI-enhanced suite for guiding PCI decisions. The acquisition aligns with growing clinical evidence that intravascular imaging and physiological assessment significantly improve patient outcomes in PCI. Studies show these tools reduce complications, improve stent placement accuracy, and enhance long-term results. With over 300 million people affected by coronary artery disease globally, the integration of these technologies into the Azurion platform could impact millions of patients annually. Philips CEO Roy Jakobs emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing image-guided therapy through innovation in hardware, software, and AI. Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader for Image Guided Therapy, noted the acquisition represents a major step in delivering end-to-end solutions that help clinicians “decide, guide, treat, and confirm” in a single setting. SpectraWAVE’s CEO Eman Namati expressed excitement about joining Philips’ global ecosystem, stating the partnership will accelerate the adoption of AI-driven coronary care and improve consistency in treatment. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Both the HyperVue Imaging System and X1-FFR are FDA-cleared as Class 2 medical devices. The integration of SpectraWAVE’s technologies into Azurion is expected to enhance procedural efficiency, reduce variability, and support better clinical decision-making. In a separate development, Google co-founder Sergey Brin shared insights into his brief retirement and return to active involvement in AI. Speaking at Stanford’s School of Engineering centennial, Brin revealed he stepped back in December 2019, hoping to enjoy leisure and study physics. But the pandemic disrupted that plan, and he soon felt intellectually adrift. Returning to Google’s offices, he re-engaged with the development of Gemini, Google’s flagship AI model, which he now sees as a vital creative outlet. He criticized Google’s earlier hesitation to fully embrace AI, noting that OpenAI moved faster, but emphasized Google’s enduring advantages in AI infrastructure, custom chips, and research scale. Brin advised students not to abandon technical fields due to AI’s coding capabilities, warning that AI may even outperform humans in areas like literature. He also reflected on his past misstep with Google Glass, which he launched prematurely, and urged founders to avoid rushing products to market. He remains energized by the rapid pace of AI innovation, saying even a month off the news cycle leaves one behind.