Wearable Technology Enables High Definition Wireless Audio-video (av) Communication to the Operating Room
Background: This group has previously reported work on a cart-based AV system for communication to the OR using the internet. This technology has been transformed into wearable technology to enable a less restrictive interface between the operating surgeon and mentor.Objective: To develop a mobile system using wearable technology that enables a mentor surgeon to communicate… Continue Reading
Verrotouch: Detection of Instrument Vibrations for Haptic Feedback and Skill Assessment in Robotic Surgery
Objective: Surgeons currently rely on visual cues to compensate for the lack of haptic information during robotic minimally invasive surgery (RMIS). We have developed VerroTouch, an RMIS accessory that provides surgeons with realistic audio and haptic feedback of instrument vibrations. This system has been implemented in both a box-trainer and a live porcine model. The… Continue Reading
Utilizing Modern Medical Informatics to Improve Performance and Clinical Research
Background: Modern medical informatics is changing the way physicians practice and how clinical research is conducted. The appropriate utilization of a clinical database, electronic medical records (EMR), and other health related software can improve patient care and offer the opportunity for practice analysis and HIPAA compliant research. With IRB approval, clinician researchers can use this… Continue Reading
Usefulness of Laparoscopic Color Doppler Sonography in Identifying Vascular Structures During Laparoscopic Operation of Colorectal Cancer
Introduction: In proctectomy for rectal cancer, to identify the vascularities of the intestine, structures of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), left colic artery (LCA) and sigmoid artery (SA), it is important to perform safe and curative operations. However, it is difficult to know laparosocopically, where the point of LCA branching off from IMA is and whether… Continue Reading
Trocar Site Fascia Closure Device
The trend of less invasive solutions for surgical procedures brought about a broad and expanding adoption of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. Today, over 4,000,000 (4 million) laparoscopic procedures are performed annually. This trend will continue as improved and novel instrumentation and techniques are developed. Access cannula ports are placed by creating a puncture through the… Continue Reading
Transvaginal Insertion of Internal Retractor for Hybrid Notes (natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery) Transvaginal Cholecystectomy.
Introduction:Since the introduction of hybrid NOTES transvaginal (TV) cholecystectomy, retraction of the gallbladder has been described with magnets, percutaneos sutures and flexible long grasper. The need for adequate instrumentation gives room for improvement and development of new instrumentation. Here in we describe a novel technique for internal retraction of the gallbladder. Methods:Non-survival Hybrid Transvaginal NOTES… Continue Reading
Transanal Endoscopic Da Vinci Surgery (teds): Results of Cadaveric Experiments
Background: single port platforms and instrument are increasingly used for transanal surgery. In an effort to tackle some of the limitations and increase intraluminal flexibility, robotic integration could be a logical next step. Objective:To report on our initial experience with transanal endoscopic da Vinci surgery (TEdS) using a glove port on human cadavers. Methods: After… Continue Reading
Transabdominal Endoscopic Pericardial Access for Epicardial Ablation
Epicardial cardiac ablation (MAZE procedure) and endocardial (percutaneous catheter based) ablation are well described techniques in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. A novel procedure recently developed is the hybrid mini-maze (convergent MAZE procedure) that involves a concurrent transabdominal endoscopic epicardial MAZE and endocardial catheter based ablation. The MAZE procedure has classically involved either a sternotomy… Continue Reading
Through-the-scope Balloon Cryoablation Device for Treating Barrett’s Esophagus
Objective: Ablation of dysplastic Barrett’s has become the mainstay of therapy in many centers. The most common ablation method used is radiofrequency energy, and although effective, it has a number of drawbacks. One of the primary drawbacks is that it cannot be deployed through the endoscope, but is either attached to the endoscope or placed… Continue Reading
The Subxiphoid Approach to Thyroidectomy Using the Ddes, a Flexible, Articulating, Single-incision Platform
OBJECTIVEThe cultural desire to avoid cervical incisions has motivated surgeons to develop alternative approaches to thyroid surgery. The most common technique employs an axillary incision and subcutaneous tunneling for resection of the thyroid. This access is more challenging in the obese patient, limiting the patients who are candidates for minimally invasive thyroid surgery. Further, traditional… Continue Reading
The Sealed Incision Multiport (simport) for Laparoendoscopic Surgery
Objective As minimal access surgery continues to evolve for greater patient benefit, there is a need for enabling technology that performs simply, reliably and efficiently in response to surgeons' real-world requirements. Furthermore, novel devices need to function intuitively and seem immediately familiar and so need be compatible with existing instrumentation and accommodate variety of use in… Continue Reading
The Patch Esophagoplasty: Esophageal Reconstruction Using Biological Scaffolds.
Objective. Current standard techniques for surgical reconstruction of the esophagus remain suboptimal. Primary closure of unhealthy esophagus has been associated with a high morbidity rate, primarily due to leak and stricture, and synthetic materials are contraindicated due to the high risk of erosion and infection. Degradable extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have recently shown promising results… Continue Reading
The Mechanical Properties of Adhesive Polymer Films in Ex-vivo Study for Bowel Retraction in Laparoscopic Surgery
Objective To develop an adhesive polymer film able to adhere strongly on serosal side of the bowel with sufficient mechanical properties to retract the bowel for laparoscopic procedures. Method A series of novel adhesive mono- and bi-layer polymer films were formulated in house, in which the adhesive layer was based on either Carbopol… Continue Reading
The Impact of Use of a Novel Suture ‘v-loc’ in Roux En Y Gastric Bypass (rygb) in a Recognised Bariatric Centre of Excellence.
Background- Various sutures are employed during anastomotic closure in a RYGB, in an attempt to minimise anastomotic leak which is a major complication, and its consequences on the morbidity and mortality. There remains a concern regarding the efficacy of the sutures. V-loc, an absorbable, uni-directional, secure, barbed, knotless suture has been used in our institution… Continue Reading
The Development of a Virtual Reality Colonoscopy Training Curriculum
The success of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention is dependent on operator competence in the detection and removal of adenomatous polyps. However, studies have shown substantial variability in polyp detection rates. Changes in clinical practice have led to a reduction in training opportunities; thus alternative methods of teaching have been developed. The advert of… Continue Reading