Medical Robots Will Revolutionize Most Surgical Disciplines

Surgical robots are gaining widespread acceptance across the globe as they enhance the surgeon’s abilities in terms of surgical imaging, navigation, planning, and instrument manipulation. These are the latest findings of Frost & Sullivan (Frost; London, United Kingdom), an international market research firm.

Surgical robotics technology is making its way into practically every major surgical discipline, with the global demand particularly high for prostatectomy and hysterectomy surgeries, as they are believed to offer greater safety, accuracy, and precision, leading to better clinical outcomes for the surgeon, patient, as well as hospital management. Advanced imaging techniques, higher degrees of freedom, interactive interfaces, haptics feedback, and teleoperation are being continuously developed to further strengthen the capabilities of surgeons.

Surgical robot manufacturers are also trying to reduce the footprint of existing robotic systems and lessen the invasiveness of surgical procedures by advancing single port, natural orifice, and swarm robotic technologies. The global surgical robotics market is top-heavy, with the leading participants having cutting-edge technologies and large patent libraries. The industry also has an abundance of smaller participants, such as University spinoffs and research centers that are working on further innovations in medical robotics. 

However, the lack of randomized trials and comparison and outcome registries for robotic surgeries has raised questions regarding the efficacy of surgical robots. Stringent regulatory requirements, complex manufacturing processes, and extensive R&D are also hampering development. However, these restraints are short run, as robust clinical evidence to support the benefits of surgical robots’ economic efficiency, improved ergonomics, and reduced surgeon fatigue increase over the next few years. Companies within the market are also battling this issue by seeking feedback from customers, including hospitals, surgeons, and patients. 

“In addition to demonstrating the superior efficacy of surgical robotic technologies with the aid of positive data from long-term clinical trials, market participants must use open architecture surgical platforms to promote collaboration and innovations in surgical robotics, and pave the way for greater investment from universities and research institutions,” said Frost analyst Geethu Roshan Verghese. “The market will continue to gradually prosper due to rising awareness, higher per capita income, and a growing aging population.”

By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 12 May 2014

Source: Hospimedica

Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates Advancing the Use of the da Vinci Si™ Robot for Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) . The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates are now the top choice in this region for the treatment of colon cancer, rectal cancer, rectopexy and enterocele repair, using da Vinci Si™ surgical system. This minimally invasive technology is the latest evolution among all minimally invasive technologies in the field of colon and rectal surgery. The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are a highly respected colorectal surgical group in Los Angeles, California, and nationally, for their expertise in all types of colorectal procedures. All of the surgeons are certified in the use of the da Vinci Si™ surgical robotic technology, after having undergone training and certification.

The group is actively striving to set training criteria for surgeons entering the field of colorectal robotic surgery. The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates perform their robotic operations at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where they are instructors in the colon and rectal surgical fellowship, and in the division of colon and rectal surgery.

The da Vinci Si™ robotic surgery technology increases the efficiency and precision of operative procedures through advanced imaging and physical handling of tissues. Some of the most important benefits of the imaging technology include instant image referencing, and a 3-Dimensional, stereoscopic High Definition field of vision. The evaluation of the blood supply to the operative area is evaluated in part, by fluorescent vascular imaging using indocyanine green fluorescence. This area has received wide spread attention as a technique which may lower the anastomotic leak rate. This is currently under evaluation. The system also makes use of high definition cameras to receive magnified and clear views of the operative site. In addition to colon and rectal tumors, the surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are also applying this latest technology to the treatment of benign colorectal conditions such as diverticulitis, enterocele repair, and rectal prolapse.

Minimally invasive robotic surgery systems like the da Vinci Si™ offer many benefits to both the surgeons and their patients. The surgeons have an extra arm and mechanical wrists (the endowrist) to aid in keeping their attention forward-focused through many different ranges of motion. The operating capability of the surgeon can improve 50% by using the arm to hold different surgical instruments. The mechanical wrists can be used for holding and manipulating specialized instruments, including those for intracorporeal suturing and knot tying. The endowrist can move like a human wrist, offering an even higher range of motion. Moreover, robotic technology makes it much easier for surgeons to handle complex movements such as knot tying, suturing, and delicate resections.

Patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center may prefer this technology over open procedures because of benefits such as:

•          Decreased need for postoperative pain medications
•          Shorter hospital stays
•          Quicker recovery and return to work or daily activities
•          Less postoperative pain.
•          Improved cosmetic results

The colorectal surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Associates are excited to be able to deliver a high level of surgical efficiency, thanks to the da Vinci Si™ surgical system. These experts feel that this remarkable technology is the next evolution in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer, as well as rectopexy, certain cases of diverticulitis and enterocele repair. They are working to standardize the hospital training and certification process for surgeons who want to use the robot.

About Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates
The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are highly respected in Los Angeles, California and nationally for their treatment of all types of colorectal diseases. Since the founding of the group in 1957, they have built a unique reputation by offering compassionate medical and surgical care, combined with focused diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Contact:

Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates
Phone: (310) 273-2310

Source: PRWEB

Mazor Robotics to launch and demo new Renaissance® brain module at American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) annual meeting in San Francisco

ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2014 – On April 7, 2014, Mazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQ GM: MZOR) will debut and officially launch the new Renaissance Guidance System brain module at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) annual meeting. The Renaissance system is FDA-cleared for both spine and brain surgery.

The Renaissance brain module utilizes a small, frameless platform with only three points of fixation to provide highly accurate access to the areas of the brain where intervention is needed. This helps to minimize incisions and scarring while providing surgeons with a full 360 degree working volume to change trajectories with ease.

Dr. Bradley Wallace of Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla. performed the first bilateral procedure with Renaissance in December of last year. “With the Renaissance system, we’ve preplanned those trajectories and it’s simply a matter of pushing a button and redirecting the guidance unit to the new trajectories,” said Dr. Wallace.  “There is also a patient comfort component: the patient is awake for a portion of the surgery, so not being fixed to the bed and being able to move a little bit is an advantage.”

“We are very happy to see the benefits that Renaissance Brain Surgery is bringing to neurosurgeons and their patients,” said Mazor Robotics CEO Ori Hadomi. “After years of development, we are excited to introduce our technology to the brain surgery market and continue our efforts in this new arena.”

Visit Mazor Robotics at booth #615 at AANS for a demonstration of the Renaissance brain module.

To date, Mazor Robotics Renaissance Guidance System has been used to place over 45,000 implants in thousands of spine procedures worldwide.

About Mazor Robotics

Mazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQCM: MZOR) is dedicated to the development and marketing of an innovative surgical guidance system for spine and brain surgery and complementary products that provide a safer environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics Renaissance Guidance System enables surgeons to conduct procedures in a more accurate and secure manner. For more information, about the company and the Renaissance system, please visit www.MazorRobotics.com, the content of which is not part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans or prospects for the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding the benefits of Renaissance Brain Surgery, our efforts in the brain surgery arena , and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on Mazor’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Mazor’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, competitive products, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key strategic alliances, fluctuations in operating results, and other factors indicated in Mazor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Mazor’s registration statement on Form F-1 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. For more details, refer to Mazor’s SEC filings and the amendments thereto. Mazor undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.

U.S. Contacts: EVC Group

 

Michael Polyviou/Robert Jones – Investors

mpolyviou@evcgroup.com; bjones@evcgroup.com

212.850.6020; 646.201.5447

John Carter/David Schemelia – Media

jcarter@evcgroup.com; dave@evcgroup.com

212.850.6021

Robot Surgeon May One Day Travel With Astronauts

Crédito de la imagen: Thinkstock.com

As painful as it might be, appendicitis can be remedied by a quick trip to the emergency room. However, that option wouldn’t be available to an astronaut traveling to Mars or some other distant destination.

To remedy this potential problem, engineers at Virtual Incision are about to begin testing a remote-controlled apple-sized robot designed to perform internal surgery in a zero-gravity environment.

Team member Shane Farritor, an engineering professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the new robot would accompany astronauts into deep space – where the odds of physical trauma are higher than missions in orbit around Earth.

“It must be an emergency if you would consider surgery in space,” he told New Scientist‘s Aviva Rutkin.

At the moment, astronauts are meticulously screened for potential medical issues before departing Earth. On the International Space Station, where all manned missions end these days, an escape capsule is ready in case of emergencies, meaning hospital care is just hours away. Also, some health issues that can happen in space disappear upon returning to Earth. However, NASA has future plans for manned missions to an asteroid and Mars, meaning an escape to Earth isn’t an option.

Surgery in space adds multiple complications, such as the potential for bodily fluids floating free in space and contaminating the cabin. Also, space and weight constraints necessitate that medical tools are relatively light, yet capable of handling many kinds of situations.

“Everything that we take for granted, even something as simple as putting a Band Aid down on a table, is difficult in space,” Dmitry Oleynikov, a professor of surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told Rutkin. “That difficulty increases logarithmically when you’re trying to do complex procedures such as an operation.”

The new robot weighs about 1 pound and has two arms equipped with tools to grab, cauterize and suture tissue. A small video camera sits atop its head and the feed from it is transmitted to a control station, where a human surgeon controls it.

The engineering team said prototypes have carried out a dozen operations in pigs. They added that the next step is to operate in human cadavers, and finally to test the technology in a living human on Earth.

One flaw with the technology is the fact that the further away a spaceship gets, the greater the time delay in sending signals to a robotic surgeon. The company said it wants to avoid this problem by training astronauts to operate on each other.

Commenting on the technology, James Burgess at Carnegie Mellon University said automation of these robots would eventually solve many of these problems.

“You could imagine situations in the future where you can actually dial in a surgery from the ground and it can be put together and performed in space,” Burgess told the New Scientist reporter.

The Virtual Incision team recently released a document detailing their plans to test two prototypes in an aircraft flying in parabolic arcs.

“The first device will be able to withstand all forces that will be experienced throughout the flight,” the engineering team wrote. “The second miniaturized device will only be able to operate within a reduced gravity environment.”

Source: Brett Smith for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online Redorbit

Mazor Robotics Receives Purchase Order for Renaissance System from Israel Distribution Partner

CAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQGM: MZOR), a developer of innovative guidance systems and complementary products, announced today that it has received an order for a Renaissance^® system from Bestech, its distribution partner in Israel. This represents the fifth system sold in Israel and Bestech plans on installing the system at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, located in central Jerusalem.

Our partnership with Bestech has demonstrated positive results as this system sale represents our fifth in Israel,” commented Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer. “Shaare Zedek Medical Center is a leading research institution and this system sale is consistent with our strategy of targeting academic hospitals.”

Shaare Zedek Medical Center is a 700-bed facility and is committed to developing increasingly innovative means to provide patient care reinforcing its reputation as a highly esteemed academic and research institution.

About Mazor

Mazor Robotics is dedicated to the development and marketing of innovative surgical guidance systems and complementary products that provide a safer surgical environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics’ flagship product, Renaissance, is a state-of-the-art surgical guidance system that enables surgeons to conduct spine surgeries in an accurate and secure manner. Mazor Robotics systems have been successfully used in the placement of over 45,000 implants worldwide. Numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading scientific conferences have validated the accuracy, usability, and clinical advantages of Mazor Robotics technology. For more information, the content of which is not part of this press release, please visit www.mazorrobotics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws. Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans or prospects for the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding how our partnership with Bestech has demonstrated positive results and how this system sale is consistent with our strategy of targeting academic hospitals, and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on Mazor’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Mazor’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, competitive products, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key strategic alliances, fluctuations in operating results, and other factors indicated in Mazor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Mazor’s prospectus dated October 29, 2013. For more details, refer to Mazor’s SEC filings. Mazor undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.

Contacts

U.S.
EVC Group
Investors:
Michael Polyviou, 212-850-6020
mpolyviou@evcgroup.com
or
Robert Jones, 646-201-5447
bjones@evcgroup.com
or
Media:
John Carter/David Schemelia
212-850-6021
jcarter@evcgroup.com / dave@evcgroup.com

CarePoint Health Physician Performs Gallbladder Surgery Using Robot for the First Time in Hudson County

In another first for CarePoint Health, Ravikumar Brahmbhatt, MD, FACS, performed a robot guided Single Site Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder) at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, the first such procedure ever performed in Hudson County. The operation was conducted through a single small incision through the belly button of the patient using the fine tools of a robotic arm. Through this minimally invasive procedure, the gallbladder was successfully removed. The surgery marks one more milestone for the hospital, where the use of the da Vinci robot system is revolutionizing health care.

Dr. Brahmbhatt, supported by a specialized team of nurses and anesthesiologists specifically trained for robotic procedures, performed the Single Site Cholecystectomy on March 7, 2014. The use of the da Vinci robot provided a safe and effective operative intervention using the latest technology. Due to the precision in technique possible with use of 3D high-definition vision and cutting edge robotic tools, there is minimal chance of complication. The benefits to patients undergoing this type of procedure include: early recovery and early return to daily activity, short hospital stay, less bleeding, low rate of wound infection, virtually no post-operation scars and highest patient satisfaction.

The da Vinci robot at CarePoint Health – Christ Hospital, nicknamed “Mona”, is part of a larger initiative, backed by a $2.5 million investment, to respond to the growing health care needs of the region. With the da Vinci system, surgeons operate through just a few small, minimally invasive incisions. The da Vinci system features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. As a result, da Vinci enables a surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. The surgeon is 100% in control of the da Vinci system, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments.

Dr. Brahmbhatt was born and raised in India where he completed medical school and his General Surgical residency at M.S. University of Baroda. He completed a second General Surgical residency at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn and a Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Brahmbhatt is Board Certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. His practice is located at 250 Central Avenue in Jersey City and at 5 Marine Plaza, Hoboken. He specializes in Advanced Laparoscopy Surgery and General Surgery including intestinal disease.

For more information about this groundbreaking surgery, contact:

Allyson Miller
CarePoint Health
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 201-858-5297
Fax: 973-646-5563
Email: AMiller(at)bayonnemedicalcenter(dot)org

About CarePoint Health
CarePoint Health brings quality, patient-focused health care to Hudson County. Combining the resources of three area hospitals – Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and Hoboken University Medical Center – CarePoint Health provides a new approach to deliver health care that puts the patient front and center. We leverage a network of top doctors, nurses and other medical professionals whose expertise and attentiveness work together to provide complete coordination of care, from the doctor’s office to the hospital to the home. Patients benefit from the expertise and capabilities of a broad network of leading specialists and specialized technology. And at CarePoint Health, all of our medical professionals emphasize preventive medicine and focus on educating patients to make healthy life choices. For more information on our facilities, partners and services, visit our website, http://www.carepointhealth.org.

Source:

Conroe Regional performs total hysterectomy with da Vinci system, the hospital's first use of the robotic surgeon. http://t.co/fQ26SDZt02

— HCA Healthcare Careers (@careersathca) March 26, 2014

Mr Alan Doherty is now carrying out robotic surgery with the da Vinci prostatectomy system

— Birmingham Prostate (@ProstateBirm) March 26, 2014

New Help Center for patients who have suffered injuries from da Vinci robot … – http://t.co/be5q0mGhFT – http://t.co/2jpynd2ZKZ

— Davis & Crump (@DavisCrumpLaw) March 25, 2014

Methodist Dallas is Advancing Single-Site Robotic Surgery with the da Vinci Single-Site #Hysterectomy http://t.co/Lq4pqPLlhC

— Methodist Dallas (@methodistdallas) March 25, 2014

 

Mazor Robotics Receives Second Purchase Order for Renaissance System from Italy Distribution Partner

Mazor Robotics Renaissance™

CAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQGM: MZOR), a developer of innovative guidance systems and complementary products, announced today that it has received an order for a Renaissance system from AB Medica SpA, its distribution partner in Italy. This represents the second Renaissance sold in Italy.

The system will be installed at a prominent hospital in Italy. “We are pleased with the purchase of the second Renaissance system in the Italian market. AB Medica, our distributor partner in Italy is moving forward, building the install base and reputation of the Renaissance system in Italy,” commented Ori Hadomi, Mazor’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our efforts in the U.S. and Asia continue to demonstrate positive momentum, and this system sale in Italy reflects our renewed effort in Europe.”

AB Medica SpA distributes some of the most innovative medical products in the fields of robotics, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), interventional cardiology, radiology and more in Italy. The company has successfully introduced an impressive range of revolutionary technologies in multiple market segments that are shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

About Mazor

Mazor Robotics is dedicated to the development and marketing of innovative surgical guidance systems and complementary products that provide a safer surgical environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics’ flagship product, Renaissance, is a state-of-the-art surgical guidance system that enables surgeons to conduct spine surgeries in an accurate and secure manner. Mazor Robotics systems have been successfully used in the placement of over 45,000 implants worldwide. Numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading scientific conferences have validated the accuracy, usability, and clinical advantages of Mazor Robotics technology. For more information, the content of which is not part of this press release, please visit www.mazorrobotics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws. Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans or prospects for the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s sales efforts in the U.S. and Asia demonstrating positive momentum and renewed sales efforts in Europe, and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on Mazor’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Mazor’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, competitive products, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key strategic alliances, fluctuations in operating results, and other factors indicated in Mazor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Mazor’s prospectus dated October 29, 2013. For more details, refer to Mazor’s SEC filings. Mazor undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.

Contacts U.S. EVC Group

Investors Michael Polyviou, 212-850-6020 mpolyviou@evcgroup.com or

Robert Jones, 646-201-5447 bjones@evcgroup.com or

Media John Carter/David Schemelia 212-850-6021 jcarter@evcgroup.com / dave@evcgroup.com