ABLATOM deployed the world’s first biomedical LIBS microscope, ELM-XS-MED, in a hospital setting last November. The company kickstarted the new year by showcasing its new AI-powered microscope ABLASCAN at CES in Las Vegas.
In late 2024, ABLATOM made history by deploying the world’s first biomedical LIBS microscope, ELM-XS-MED, at CHU Grenoble Alpes. This revolutionary device is the first of its kind to bring Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology into a hospital setting, where it enables rapid, contactless analysis of human tissue at the elemental level. Tailored for the medical field, ELM-XS-MED opens unprecedented opportunities for diagnostics, toxicology, and biomedical research, providing clinicians and researchers with unparalleled insights into the composition of biological samples.
Building on the success of ELM-XS-MED, ABLATOM has continued to innovate with the introduction of ABLASCAN™ at CES 2025. ABLASCAN™ is a versatile LIBS microscope designed for a range of applications, including industrial and scientific uses. Together, these advancements position ABLATOM as a leader in elemental analysis, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical implementation in healthcare.
The First Biomedical LIBS Microscope in a Hospital Setting
The introduction of ELM-XS-MED at CHU Grenoble Alpes represents a groundbreaking application of LIBS technology in healthcare. This advanced microscope allows detailed chemical mapping of human tissues in milliseconds, providing a new standard for medical diagnostics. Key applications include oncology, dermatology, and pulmonology, where precise elemental analysis can greatly enhance diagnostic accuracy.
The ELM-XS-MED microscope supports vital research initiatives, such as the study of nanoparticle-based therapies and the detection of toxic metal elements in tissues. Its ability to identify both natural and foreign elements makes it an essential tool for toxicology and environmental health research. By integrating this cutting-edge device into a hospital setting, ABLATOM has demonstrated its potential to streamline diagnostics, improve patient care, and provide actionable insights for clinicians.
This landmark project at CHU Grenoble Alpes was led by Prof. Benoit Busser and supported by Dr. Lucie Sancey and Dr. Vincent Motto-Ros, showcasing the successful collaboration between academic researchers and industrial innovators. It positions LIBS technology at the forefront of medical advancement, addressing critical public health challenges.


Unlocking New Frontiers with ABLASCAN™
While ELM-XS-MED is tailored specifically for medical applications, ABLASCAN™ is a versatile, first-of-its-kind AI-powered LIBS microscope designed to excel in high-speed, large-scale elemental analysis across various sectors. Introduced at CES 2025, it combines cutting-edge LIBS technology with advanced AI to automate data processing, making it efficient and user-friendly for non-expert operators.
High-Throughput Performance: ABLASCAN™ conducts millions of measurements in minutes, setting a new standard for efficiency in industries requiring extensive material assessments, such as recycling, metallurgy, and environmental monitoring.
Material Versatility: Unlike the specialized ELM-XS-MED, ABLASCAN™ is engineered to analyze a wide variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, plastics, and geological samples, at micrometer resolution.
AI Integration: The integration of AI algorithms enables real-time data interpretation, minimizing the need for expert analysis and expanding its accessibility to a broader user base.
While ABLASCAN™ is primarily geared toward non-medical industries, it is also noted for its potential applications in the medical field.


Questions That Inspire Further Exploration
While the capabilities of ELM-XS-MED and ABLASCAN™ are impressive, several questions highlight their future potential:
- How effectively can it monitor treatment outcomes, like tracking chemotherapy progress in real time?
- Could ABLASCAN™’s AI-driven capabilities find expanded applications in medical diagnostics or research?
- Are there possibilities to integrate ABLASCAN™ into large-scale industrial processes for real-time material monitoring?
Addressing these questions will further solidify ABLATOM as a transformative force in modern medicine and industry. As the first LIBS microscope deployed in a hospital and a versatile solution for industrial research, ELM-XS-MED and ABLASCAN™ set new benchmarks in chemical analysis and innovation.
Toward a New Era of Medical Technology
ELM-XS-MED reflects a paradigm shift in how medical professionals approach diagnostics and research. Democratizing LIBS technology provides healthcare institutions with tools that were once restricted to specialized labs. Its unparalleled speed and accuracy equip hospitals to tackle critical challenges, from advancing cancer diagnostics to supporting innovation in material sciences for medical use.
By tailoring solutions to meet major societal challenges—including health, energy, sovereignty over raw materials, and recycling—ABLATOM is pushing boundaries in the application of LIBS microscopes. The company has already been applying its technology to blood samples.
As ABLATOM continues to expand its applications, the role of LIBS technology in shaping the future of medicine and industry will only grow. Whether enhancing diagnostic precision or driving breakthroughs in treatment, ELM-XS-MED and ABLASCAN™ are poised to transform the landscape of healthcare and beyond.