Renowned Robotic Surgeon First to Use New 3D Kidney Model

AHA Publisher — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 07:00:38 +0000

University of Miami Health System, Miller School of Medicine via Newswise – Renowned robotic urologic oncology surgeon Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., was the first in the nation to test a new preoperative surgical rehearsal technology recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration for all genitourinary conditions. The kidney models, made by Lazarus 3D, provide an additional preparation tool for some surgical procedures. “The company reached out to me, and the device sounded intriguing,” said Dr. Parekh, a member of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and director of robotic surgery at UHealth – the University of Miami Health System. “I thought that this may be a technology that would be worth trying to see if it can add value.” While surgeons routinely study MRI and CT scans to understand each patient’s unique anatomy, 3D models offer an added level of detail, as well as giving surgeons the ability to hold, rotate, examine and conduct actual practice surgeries. Replicating Human Tissue The Lazarus 3D kidney surgical rehearsal models are created using imaging data and are made from pliable materials designed to replicate the look and feel of actual human tissue. The model organ is created with a novel 3D printing technology, and replicates the texture and pliability surgeons encounter in the human body. “We use a range of proprietary silicone materials that are designed to simulate human tissue,” said Jacques Zaneveld, Ph.D., Lazarus 3D founder and CEO. “We can create materials that feel like skin, fat and organs. These materials are so lifelike, you can operate on them using the same tools and techniques used on real patients.” Dr. Parekh used these models to prepare for two separate tumor surgeries, one of which required navigating some complex anatomy. “The test run showed me what to expect when I conducted the actual surgery,” he said. Teaching Tools for Patients Lazarus 3D leadership said these models can be especially helpful for residents and other early-career surgeons. They can also be used as teaching tools for patients, giving surgeons a visual aid to describe an organ’s anatomy and how they expect a surgery to proceed. “For patients, it is an amazing communication tool and may help improve care,” Dr. Zaneveld said. “For physicians, it allows an opportunity to try different approaches and to better anticipate what the real surgery will be like.” Testing is underway to expand the use of the modeling technology to other organ models, such as bladder and prostate. Prostate surgery can be particularly challenging, as doctors must avoid the bladder, musculature and important nerves, and and deal with other potential complexities. “This may be a good simulation tool for patients who have a complex anatomy, such as an enlarged prostate or a median lobe, and require surgery,” Dr. Parekh said. To read the original article click here.

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Surgeons Successfully Treat Brain Aneurysms Using a Robot

AHA Publisher — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 08:00:36 +0000

American Heart Association via EurekAlert – American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference – Late breaking science news release. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2020 — Using a robot to treat brain aneurysms is feasible and could allow for improved precision when placing stents, coils and other devices, according to late breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2020 . The conference, Feb. 19-21 in Los Angeles, is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health. Robotic technology is used in surgery and cardiology, but not for brain vascular procedures. In this study, Canadian researchers report the results of the first robotic brain vascular procedures. They used a robotic system specifically adapted for neurovascular procedures. Software and hardware adaptations enable it to accommodate microcatheters, guidewires and the other devices used for endovascular procedures in the brain. These modifications also provide the operator additional precise fine-motor control compared to previous system models. “This experience is the first step towards achieving our vision of remote neurovascular procedures,” said lead researcher Vitor Mendes Pereira, M.D., M.Sc., a neurosurgeon and neuroradiologist at the Toronto Western Hospital, and professor of medical imaging and surgery at the University of Toronto in Canada. “The ability to robotically perform intracranial aneurysm treatment is a major step forward in neuro-endovascular intervention.” In the first case, a 64-year-old female patient presented with an unruptured aneurysm at the base of her skull. The surgical team successfully used the robot to place a stent and then, using the same microcatheter, entered the aneurysm sac and secured the aneurysm by placing various coils. All intracranial steps were performed with the robotic arm. Since this first case, the team has successfully performed five additional aneurysm treatments using the robot, which included deploying various devices such as flow-diverting stents. “The expectation is that future robotic systems will be able to be controlled remotely. For example, I could be at my hospital and deliver therapy to a patient hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away,” Mendes Pereira said. “The ability to deliver rapid care through remote robotics for time-critical procedures such as stroke could have a huge impact on improving patient outcomes and allow us to deliver cutting-edge care to patients everywhere, regardless of geography.” “Our experience, and that of future operators of this technology, will help develop the workflows and processes necessary to implement successful robotic programs, which will ultimately help establish remote care networks in the future,” Mendes Pereira said. To read the original article click here.

The post Surgeons Successfully Treat Brain Aneurysms Using a Robot appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

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Renowned Robotic Surgeon First to Use New 3D Kidney Model

Surgeons Successfully Treat Brain Aneurysms Using a Robot