From permanent to resorbable: self-dissolving stents as heart implants
02.08.2024
Cardiology is increasingly transitioning from traditional metal stents to self-dissolving stents for the treatment of coronary heart disease. These new magnesium stents have the potential to improve the treatment and outcomes for a large patient population.
Da Vinci SP system: the next generation of robotic-assisted surgery
06.06.2024
The introduction of the Da Vinci Single Port (SP) system enables the Mainz University Medical Center to expand its field of application for minimally invasive surgery in general surgery as well as visceral and transplant surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery improves medical practice through the use of state-of-the-art technology that enables more precise and less invasive procedures.
Karin Kaiser/MHH
Cardiac medicine: minimally invasive replacement of any heart valve
19.04.2024
Hannover Medical School (MHH) is presenting a decisive advancement in cardiology: the minimally invasive replacement of the tricuspid valve using a new catheter system, a significant expansion of treatment options for heart valve defects.
Wound closure: soldering with light and nanotechnology
02.04.2024
With "iSoldering", the Particles Biology Interactions Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in St. Gallen and the Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zurich have developed a method that does not require surgical sutures or synthetic adhesives. Instead, nanoparticles and light enable secure wound closure.
Lobachad
Enhancing neonatal intensive care with ArtPlac project
19.01.2024
The European Union is providing €3.57 million in funding for the "ArtPlac" research project, aimed at developing innovative medical technology for the treatment of premature and newborn infants in neonatal intensive care.
Karin Kaiser / MHH
Stroke: Progress in the treatment with state-of-the-art magnification technology
19.12.2023
A new, extremely powerful angiography system from Canon was put into operation at the Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH).
drazenphoto
Electrotherapy without surgery is possible
28.08.2023
Researchers at Lund University and Gothenburg University have successfully developed temporary, organic electrodes that can be seamlessly integrated into biological systems.
Gerain0812
Sensor-controlled precision: the future of surgical tumor removal
22.08.2023
The complete removal of malignant tumors is a decisive factor for the success of cancer treatment. Until now, the tissue examinations required for this have been time-consuming. In the future, sensor-based methods could come into play to help surgeons detect tumor boundaries more accurately and thus perform a more precise operation.
University Hospital Bonn (UKB)/Johann Saba
OR robotics: flexible on-demand robotics with Dexter
08.08.2023
Surgical robotics is precise and reduces the workload of surgeons. However, it is not always as flexible as humans. Dexter, a surgical robot that recently received CE certification, could revolutionize how surgery is performed in certain cases. Not only is it smaller and less expensive than other systems, it also allows switching between robotics and laparoscopy.
FAU/Georg Pöhlein
FAU: research project about robotic assistance systems receives funding
03.08.2023
In the “ForNeRo – Seamless and Ergonomic Integration of Robotics into the Clinical Workflow” research network, researchers from FAU and five other research institutions and five companies are developing methods for integrating robotic assistance systems for surgical applications using intuitive interfaces in the operating room.
joaquincorbalan
Fiber-based endo-microscope: understanding neuronal communication
28.06.2023
A new hair-thin endo-microscope, developed by an international team with the participation of Leibniz IPHT, promises extremely gentle in-depth observations.
Asociación RUVID
New patent: uterine manipulator that improves gynaecological surgery
22.06.2023
Researchers from the Biomechanics and Ergonomics research group of the Universitat Jaume I, the Abdomino-Pelvic Oncology Surgery Referral Unit (UR-COAP) of the General University Hospital of Castelló and the Fisabio Foundation have developed an atraumatic uterine manipulator for minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.
Exoskeletons for everyday use: Non-invasive method for controlling prostheses
26.05.2023
Modern prostheses are already smart, but they still have their limits. The Assistive Intelligent Robotics Lab at FAU is therefore also researching an intuitive and non-invasive method for controlling prostheses. In our interview, those involved tell us exactly what they are working on together with neurologists and surgeons from the Erlangen University Hospital.
bilanol
OptoCarDi: searching for new diagnostic options to assess the heart muscle
16.05.2023
The preparations for the OptoCarDi project at the EAH Jena and the Jena University Hospital (UKJ) are in full swing. Starting in June 2023, a research team led by Prof. Iwan Schie (Biomedical Engineering), Prof. Robert Brunner (Miniaturized Optical Sensor Systems) and the cardiologists Prof. Sven Möbius-Winkler and Prof. Christian Schulze will develop an optical catheter prototype.
Cyborg and Bionic Systems
Novel robotic bronchoscope system for navigation and biopsy of pulmonary lesions
19.04.2023
A novel robotic bronchoscope system can non-intrusively access the area of interest within the lung for minimally invasive pulmonary lesions sampling, the gold standard of lung cancer diagnoses.
DZHK - Michael Fausser
Mitral valve repair: surgery or interventional treatment?
31.03.2023
A leaking mitral valve can be repaired surgically or with catheter-based techniques. A so-called mitral valve prolapse is particularly common, in which part of the valve protrudes (prolapses) into the left atrium. The American PRIMARY study investigates which method is most suitable for repairing mitral valves in patients with degenerative mitral valve insufficiency who are at low surgical risk.
photovs
Complex coronary artery disease: Stenting with close look inside blood vessel improves outcomes
10.03.2023
Patients with complex coronary artery disease who underwent a stenting procedure guided by intravascular imaging were nearly 40% less likely to die of heart disease, have a heart attack caused by a new blockage in the treated artery or need a repeat stenting procedure in the treated artery, compared with similar patients.
bilanol
Minimally invasive mitral valve repair reduces hospitalizations and deaths
08.03.2023
In patients with heart failure and a poorly functioning heart valve, a minimally invasive procedure using a clip to repair the valve was safe, cut the rate of hospitalizations for heart failure by 47% and reduced deaths from any cause by almost 30% after five years of follow-up.
GabiStock
ENT surgery – Interventions for speech and hearing
27.02.2023
Speaking and hearing are the two most important abilities that connect humans to their environment. If they get limited through disease or injury, it is all the more important to restore them as broadly as possible. Depending on the cause for their limitation, there are different surgical treatment possibilities. We take a look at current methods in our Topic of the Month.
svitlanah
HEARO cochlear implantation – microsurgery via robot
27.02.2023
Until now, robots have assisted surgeons in the operating room to enhance their capabilities. CASCINATION is a Swiss medical device company who has teamed up with MED-EL – the Innsbruck-based hearing implant company – to develop a system that can perform an autonomous cochlear implantation. Since then, HEARO has been successfully used – including at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUniWien).
stevanovicigor
ENT surgery: minimally invasive and robot-assisted procedures
27.02.2023
The ear, nose and throat are full of tiny structures, and each plays an important role in the health of a person. The inside of the ears makes it possible for us to hear, while the inside of our nose enables us to smell. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which allow us to speak and stay connected to the outside world.
The University of Hong Kong
'Reduce and Remove': new treatment strategy for locally advanced liver cancer
19.01.2023
A pioneering phase II clinical study on tri-modality therapy (START-FIT), conducted by the Department of Surgery and Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has found that nearly 50% of patients with inoperable locally advanced liver cancer, can be cured through such an innovative approach.
Medical University of Vienna
Locally advanced cervical cancer: Better odds using personalized brachytherapy
17.01.2023
For the first time, a study conducted by a research group at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Vienna of MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital using data from the multicentre EMBRACE-I trial demonstrated the superiority of a targeted approach in brachytherapy.
sofiiashunkina
Complete package for minimally invasive tumor therapy
04.01.2023
License agreement and joint development: Fraunhofer MEVIS commences cooperation with Israeli partner for worldwide use of innovative software technology in ultrasound-aided tumor ablation.
9_fingers_
Electrical current to fight COVID-19: The intelligent electric pill
28.11.2022
In 2020, Prof. Eugenijus Kaniusas and his research partners hypothesized that stimulating the auricular vagus nerve has anti-inflammatory effects in severe COVID-19 cases. In 2022, they were able to confirm this hypothesis thanks to a clinical trial.
Home for medical technology – Highlight tour at the joint stand of NRW
16.11.2022
North Rhine-Westphalia offers good conditions as a location for medical technology companies. We spoke to Refined Laser Systems GmbH, United Robotics Group GmbH and weLLgo Medical Products GmbH during our tour of the NRW joint stand in Hall 3 / C80.
tridsanu
Accessing the surgical area: Digitization is coming to the OR
01.10.2022
Innovative medical technology is driving the digitization of healthcare institutions and is opening a world of possibilities. This is especially the case for minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.
WWU - Peter Leßmann
First completely robot-supported microsurgical operations on humans
24.08.2022
A team led by Dr. Maximilian Kückelhaus and Prof. Tobias Hirsch from the Centre for Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Münster has carried out the first completely robot-supported microsurgical operations on humans.
Single-use catheter reprocessing in electrophysiology
01.03.2022
Catheter ablation is a way to treat irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation. Although catheters are classified as single-use or disposable devices, the complex instruments can be reused multiple times thanks to extensive reprocessing.
Precision work in the operating room – Minimally invasive surgery at MEDICA 2021
16.11.2021
The smaller the surgery, the more precise it has to be. That's why surgeons need high-precision technology for minimally invasive procedures. Robots are often already used in the OR to perform surgery with millimeter precision. At MEDICA 2021, we learn more about the status quo of technology that enables minimally invasive procedures.
Christian Morawe/Universitätsmedizin Magdeburg
Histotripsy: fighting tumors with microbubbles
08.09.2021
Focused ultrasound waves create microbubbles in a fluid – a phenomenon called cavitation. In a current study, this process is used to destroy liver tumors and metastases.
Medical imaging: obtaining an accurate view of blood vessels for surgery
02.08.2021
Surgical intervention is often inevitable when blood vessels become narrowed, blocked, or damaged. Surgeons use stents and medical balloons to open and widen the arteries, suck out the obstructing clots and use a catheter to examine the vessels. Intraoperative cardiovascular imaging is an essential tool to guide the catheters and instruments during the minimally invasive procedures.
Purenum GmbH
CE Mark for medical device for effective removal of kidney stones
28.06.2021
In December 2017, Purenum GmbH started its business as a spin-off of Fraunhofer IFAM. Its mission is to develop biomimetic adhesives for use in medical technology.
PantherMedia/chanawit
Atrial fibrillation: better outcomes with diamonds
15.12.2020
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots and trigger strokes. To correct the condition, physicians use medication or surgical intervention by means of catheter ablation. This surgical method on the beating heart is a standard and safe procedure but there is always room for improvement.
Robotic arms in the operating room – When the surgeon can work in a sitting position
23.11.2020
Surgeons do not only need much concentration, but also strength and endurance. Robotic arms under their control can do part of this work. Prof. (Saitama Med. Univ.) Dietmar Stephan from the St. Marien Hospital Siegen describes in our video, how controls and haptic feedback can make surgery with a robot easier.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery with the daVinci-System
04.05.2020
Robotic surgical systems are often used to perform minimally invasive procedures. The daVinci surgical system is still one of the market leaders and is especially well suited to perform prostatectomies, a surgical option for prostate cancer.
Robotics in the OR: Relieving the surgeon
04.05.2020
In the operating room, minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used. Robot-assisted systems are a great help for the surgeon. They support the surgeon and are extremely precise. Through innovative research approaches, robotic systems are constantly evolving.
Innovative Robotic-Assisted Surgical Systems
04.05.2020
More compact, more flexibility, and more precision - these are the main characteristics developers strive for as they advance robotic-assisted surgical systems for the operating room. Several technology providers have already shown how it’s done, including the makers of the popular daVinci Surgical System. Yet for robotic-assisted systems, the sky is the limit.
Robots in the Operating Room: Improving Training and Safety
04.05.2020
Surgical robots are transforming the operating room. They deliver many benefits but also present new challenges. That is why the efficient handling of robotic mechanisms must also be reflected in the respective training courses.
Fraunhofer IPA – PAMB
Cardiovascular diseases: using AI to navigate the catheter
09.03.2020
Treatment of a heart attack or stroke caused by vascular occlusion must be prompt to prevent further damage to vital tissue. Unfortunately, the actual treatment is often preceded by a lengthy catheter-based procedure where the cardiologist manually guides the catheter to the affected vessel. AI might perform this task in the future.
Endoprostheses: regaining independence and mobility
01.01.2020
Joints can suddenly or gradually deteriorate and lose their natural strength, whether it’s due to accidents, diseases or simple wear and tear. In some of these cases, implants of artificial joints – endoprostheses - can help. As a joint replacement, they are designed to stay in the body for as long as needed and as such improve the patient’s quality of life and mobility.
APRICOT-project: implant "help(s) patients heal themselves"
01.01.2020
Today, people tend to live longer, while an increasing number of patients suffer from osteoarthritis. Even younger generations are now at a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis due to the frequent use of mobile devices. The EU research project APRICOT aims to develop a novel type of implant for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands – helping patients heal themselves.
Endoprostheses: between possibility and reality
01.01.2020
When natural joints lose their ability to function, they can be completely or partially replaced by artificial joints, also called endoprostheses. Endoprostheses must be of a certain quality, as they should remain in the body as long as possible. In addition to some risks, endoprostheses can also contribute to a mobile and carefree life for young and old.
Endoprosthetic surgery: modern and traditional approaches
01.01.2020
Surgery is required if you need an artificial joint. Patients and doctors must select the type of surgery that’s best suited and choose between robot-assisted, traditional or minimally invasive surgical approaches. Post-operative risks should be kept to a minimum, while benefits should outweigh any possible complications.
Medtronic
VISUALASE: epilepsy surgery with the laser catheter
11.06.2019
Epilepsy patients are currently treated with either medication or surgical options. The aim is to remove the distinct regions of the brain that cause epileptic seizures. Laser ablation for epilepsy is a new, catheter-based surgical procedure that is now also available in Europe, preventing patients from having to undergo open brain surgery.