Luxembourg is an active player in the advancement of neurosurgery, developing algorithms and technologies that help make neurosurgery safer, faster, and more precise. Modern imaging technologies for both tissue samples and for the living brain are amongst the most important and dynamic technological developments for researchers and medical doctors in the field of neuroscience and neurosurgery today, especially in view of the increasing personalisation and digitalisation of medicine.

To effectively develop neuroimaging and neurosurgical digitalisation technologies in Luxembourg, Pierre Hippert, founder of the Fondation du Pélican de Mie et Pierre Hippert-Faber, envisioned a common “platform” to allow for a shared interdisciplinary environment. Before his passing, he laid the groundwork for the creation of the Hippert-Faber Initiative for Operative Neuroimaging in Luxembourg, an ambitious project now undertaken by a partnership between the CHL, University of Luxembourg (LCSB), and the Fondation du Pélican. The multi-phase initiative will combine surgical skills with robotics and AI algorithms, built on a state-of-the-art technology platform, which facilitates and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between doctors, surgeons, researchers, engineers, professors, and students. As a first step, the Fondation du Pélican is financing the proof of concept to determine the next phases.

Looking ahead, this initiative, a first-of-its-kind in Luxembourg, should improve the care for local patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment, enable the Luxembourg-based research institutions and hospitals to compete in the forefront of translational research and attract talented medical students, clinicians and researchers to study and work in Luxembourg.*

*Main source of project description: University of Luxembourg project concept proposal