Jan. 7, 2026
Nichia and Illumi Medical Develop an Ultra-Compact Laser Catheter for Deep-Tissue Phototherapy
Tokushima, Japan – 7 January 2026: Nichia, the world's largest LED/Laser Diode manufacturer and inventor of high-brightness blue and white LEDs, is pleased to announce that it is currently advancing the joint development of an intravascular laser irradiation system with Illumi Medical. This innovative system combines Nichia's next-generation laser light source technology with Illumi Medical's catheter-based phototherapy technology to enable cutting-edge deep-tissue treatment solutions.
Background
Until now, the use of light in medical treatments—such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photoimmunotherapy (PIT)1—has been limited to areas accessible from the body surface or via endoscopy. Delivering light to deep-seated organs such as the brain, pancreas, or liver required highly invasive procedures like craniotomy or laparotomy.
Details
Nichia and Illumi Medical are developing a system that uses a catheter equipped with an ultra-compact light source at its tip to approach target sites via blood vessels and deliver light deep inside the body in a minimally invasive manner.
This joint initiative adds a new option, delivering light, to the conventional functions of catheters, such as burning, cutting, placing, measuring, suction, and drug delivery. By enabling deep-tissue light irradiation through blood vessels with minimal invasiveness, this approach can significantly reduce the physical burden on patients. Furthermore, because existing operating room equipment and physicians' techniques can be utilized as they are, smooth implementation in clinical settings is expected without requiring special infrastructure or operational changes.
It can be used with equipment and procedures almost identical to those for intravascular treatment.
Key Features and Advantages
・Commitment to Reaching Deep Inside the Body
By utilizing one of the world's smallest ultra-compact semiconductor laser light sources, it is possible to achieve a thin and flexible catheter that delivers light deep into the body. (Patent pending)
・Safe, Targeted, and Precise Light Irradiation in Deep Tissue
Equipped with mechanisms for cooling, safety sensors, and precise control of the irradiation direction, even in deep areas of the body where visibility is limited. (Patent pending)
・A Product Designed for Scalability and Efficient Distribution
Direct involvement of the light source manufacturer in development enables proposals for customized wavelengths (e.g., 664, 690, 730 nm), light quality, and irradiation methods tailored to the absorption characteristics of each drug. This approach is expected to increase incentives for pharmaceutical companies—who have traditionally faced challenges entering the phototherapy field from a business viability perspective—to develop drugs specifically for light-based treatments.
Nichia will showcase this demo system at Photonics West, held in San Francisco, California from January 20th to 22nd: SPIE Photonics West
Comments
Toshihiko Tsukamoto, CEO, Illumi Medical Inc.
“Collaboration with Nichia will further enhance our technological capabilities and bring us significantly closer to realizing light-based medical technologies that truly benefit clinical practice. We will continue to work with many partners to pioneer the future of healthcare.”
Tokuya Kozaki, Managing Director, Nichia Corporation
“The clinical perspective that Illumi Medical brings, provides fresh inspiration for Nichia's technology development. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration to deliver new light of treatment to patients around the world.”
About Illumi Medical Inc.
Illumi Medical Co., Ltd. is a Nagoya University-based startup established in February 2023 that develops intravascular light irradiation systems and devices. Its activities extend beyond cancer treatment, with applications in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and applications in the field of regenerative medicine. In March 2024, Illumi Medical completed its seed round of funding, and in September 2024, it was selected for the Weekly Toyo Keizai “100 Amazing Ventures” 2024 edition.
About Nichia Corporation
Nichia Corporation upholds the corporate philosophy of “Ever Researching for a Brighter World” and continues to expand its areas of challenge in two major fields related to light and energy. Established in 1956 as a specialty chemical manufacturer, Nichia became the leading company in phosphors. In 1993, Nichia developed and commercialized the first high-brightness blue LED, followed by the first white LED in 1996. In 2001, Nichia began mass production and sales of laser diodes, and today offers a lineup covering wavelengths from ultraviolet to red. These products are widely used across various applications, including industrial, consumer, and automotive. Nichia aims to continue evolving its unique technologies and remain a company that contributes to the world.
For more details, visit www.nichia.com.
For more information about products, refer to Nichia's website.
・Laser Diode (LD)
・For inquiries regarding product, use the Contact Form.
1Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photoimmunotherapy (PIT)
PDT and PIT are cancer treatment methods that utilize light. By irradiating laser light onto drugs that accumulate in cancer cells, these therapies selectively destroy the cancer cells. They place less burden on the body and minimize the impact on normal tissue, making them a promising next-generation, minimally invasive cancer treatment.