April 28th, 2026
YaYa Scientific is proud to share that our Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Justin Baba, has published a patent developed in collaboration with Vanderbilt University:
This publication marks a significant milestone following years of dedicated research and development in optical imaging and surgical technology.
The patented technology introduces a novel approach for identifying and visualizing nerves during surgery using polarized diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)—a label-free optical technique that analyzes how light interacts with tissue to differentiate between structures.
In practical terms, this enables real-time visualization of nerves in the operating room, addressing a long-standing challenge in surgery where nerve damage can lead to serious complications. Existing methods often rely on indirect monitoring rather than direct visualization, highlighting the importance of innovations like this.
The patent reflects the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including Justin Baba, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, and Graham Throckmorton, whose combined expertise in biomedical engineering, optics, and clinical translation made this advancement possible.
This innovation also contributes to the scientific foundation behind technologies being developed at YaYa Scientific, including Alina™.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Seth Ogden and Samuel Raque of Patterson IP Law for their expertise and pivotal role in guiding this work through the patent process.
While the patent is attributed to the individual inventors, this achievement aligns closely with YaYa Scientific’s mission to advance imaging technologies that improve surgical precision and patient outcomes. We are proud to see our leadership contributing to meaningful innovation in healthcare.
