A New Device for the Assessment of Minimally Invasive Surgical Performance – the Validity of Sequitor.
ObjectiveSeveral methods are currently used in the assessment of surgical performance. The majority depends on repeated expert review of an observed procedure. Sequitor allows identification of skilled motor behaviour using quantitative objective measures to provide additional performance characteristics, which may be advantageous during the acquisition of minimally invasive surgical skills. Description and MethodsA customized, novel… 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
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
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
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
Back to the Future: Open Cholecystectomy ‘hybrid\’ Model Developed Through Historical Re-enactment.
Objective: Cholecystectomy is the most frequently performed general surgical procedure. Prior to Mouret (1987), surgical trainees were routinely exposed to the open procedure which was the gold standard treatment of the time. The aims of reducing postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay have historically driven the change in surgical approach; from open to laparoscopic,… Continue Reading
Safety of Clip-less Hook Diathermy Division Against Standard Clipped Division of Cystic Artery in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Back ground: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgery. Various methods of Cystic artery division are in practice. This study looks into the safety of clip-less hook diathermy division of cystic artery against the standard cystic artery division between clips. Objective: To study the outcome and safety of the clip-less hook diathermy… 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
Novel Mesh Deployment Device Improves Efficiency of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
Device Objective:Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a well-accepted method for addressing abdominal wall hernia. The BARD ECHO mesh positioning system is a newly marketed device used to facilitate mesh placement and improve the efficiency of laparoscopic VHR. Description:The BARD ECHO device consists of a pre-attached inflatable balloon packaged with Ventralight ST polypropylene mesh and… Continue Reading
Flexdex™: A Minimally Invasive Surgical Tool With Enhanced Dexterity and Intuitive Control
Objective The goal of this project is to develop a low-cost minimally invasive surgery (MIS) device that provides wrist-like dexterity and intuitive control, which are necessary for complex MIS tasks such as suturing, knot-tying, and fine dissection. Such functionality is currently available only in multi-million dollar surgical robots. The proposed technology will broaden the adoption… Continue Reading
Limited Incision Ileorectal Anastomosis and Cholecystectomy: A Case Report
Introduction: The trend towards minimally invasive procedures has progressed rapidly over the past several decades. Novel techniques and new technologies are constantly being introduced to perform increasingly complex procedures through very limited incisions. Utilization of an ostomy site for laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been described. We performed a cholecystectomy and ileorectal anastamosis (IRA) through an… Continue Reading
Novel Method for Comprehensively Assessing the Biomechanical Risks Associated With the Use of Minimally-invasive Surgical Instruments
OBJECTIVE OF THE TECHNOLOGYAs the incidence of neuromuscular disorders among laparoscopic surgeons increases, research to understand the biomechanical risks associated with the use of minimally-invasive surgical instruments has been underdeveloped. A method using detailed simultaneous biomechanical measurements was developed in order to analyze the quantities that are closely related to potential risks and to yield… Continue Reading
A Virtual Electrosurgery Simulator for Teaching and Training in Safe Usage of Energy
ObjectiveTo develop a virtual Reality (VR) simulator to teach the various mechanisms through which injury can occur when using electrosurgery during minimally invasive surgery. Description and MethodsInadvertent thermal injuries do occasionally occur when using electrosurgical devices. The 3 main mechanisms responsible are insulation failure, direct coupling and capacitive coupling. A force feedback enabled VR simulator… Continue Reading
Sleeve Tube: Novel Tool to Standardize Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (lsg)
Objective: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy [LSG] has been increasingly accepted as a definitive weight loss surgery. LSG is less complex than Roux En Y Gastric bypass with lesser complication profile but comparable outcome. Complications arising out of LSG are results of technical failures: misidentification of vital surgical landmarks, use of improper staple heights, inadvertent traction, unguided… Continue Reading
Early Experience With Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)
OBJECTIVE: Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is an emerging new technique for treatment of achalasia. Here we describe the results of our early clinical experience with POEM. DESCRIPTION: Five patients (3 female, 2 male; age 30-73, mean 53) with manometry proven achalasia were enrolled in our IRB approved study and underwent POEM between June and October… Continue Reading