Non-invasive surgical equipment

Researchers at Vanderbilt University (U.S.) have developed a device that has tactile feedback that helps physicians manipulate and make important decisions in endoscopic surgeries. or less invasive surgery.

Less Invasive Surgery is becoming increasingly popular although there are some limitations to this approach. For example, in open surgery, the doctor usually uses fingers to feel tumors, blood vessels or other organs, but this approach can not be applied to laparoscopic surgery, because the doctor only has one operation. A small hole to put tiny surgical instruments into the patient's body.

The device supports a 15.2 mm long and 61 mm long pupil-shaped wireless endoscope, which is enough to contain a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a wireless signal generator, a magnetic sensor and a lump. small battery. Using surgical instruments, the doctor can insert the device into the target tissues. Then, the pressure sensor and the accelerometer will record the information and movement of the tissue. These data are then passed to the computer system to analyze the tissue's hardness, helping the doctor to identify the tissue they are targeting as hidden tumors or other biological structures.

Computer simulations show that the device's tactile feedback rate is more than 95% accurate, while the error rate in animal tests is about 8%. The team expects the device to be clinically proven over the next five years and be quickly put into practice to increase safety and convenience for both patients and physicians during surgery. .