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European Markets For Image Guided Surgery And Surgical Navigation
Dublin, Ireland (SPX) Jul 16, 2007 As minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) gradually phase out open invasive surgeries, image guided surgical (IGS) systems will experience greater uptake among surgeons. These devices provide surgeons an unbeatable advantage by aiding real-time navigation and offering a 3D virtual representation of a specific organ. IGS systems include fibre optic guides, internal video cameras, endoscopes and ultrasonography to track the surgical instruments inside the human body during surgery. IGS systems employ high-performance computing systems, image-processing algorithms, display techniques and interactive visualisation. They can be used along with surgical instrumentation trackers to manoeuvre the surgical instruments. Since precision is paramount during surgeries on delicate organs such as the brain and spine, surgeons are likely to find IGS devices vital. These gadgets can track surgical instruments within one millimetre of the IGS system, thus improving efficiency of the procedure and avoiding damage to normal tissues. "Although IGS systems were initially used only in neurological, spinal and ENT applications, they were recently adopted by the orthopaedic speciality, which has become the fastest growing segment," says the analyst of this research service. In future, these systems are expected to be used in other specialties such as cardiology and general surgery, which will help drive up sales volume.
Both Surgeons and Patients Take to IGS Systems and MIS Procedures for their Technological and Cost Advantages With patients increasingly opting for the more cost-effective MIS and consequently compelling physicians to invest in IGS systems, the market is fast realising its potential. Not only are MIS faster than traditional open surgeries, they also involve shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. "Less debilitating post-operative effects and shorter recuperation time enhance the adoption of these systems," asserts the analyst. Reacting to the surge in demand, manufacturers are working on offering more sophisticated, efficient and faster IGS devices. "Companies are focussing on developing instruments that take less time for registration, as the process of registration of surgical instruments with the previously taken images consumes the maximum time, hence extending the total duration of the surgery," notes the analyst. Manufacturers are also considering improvements in areas such as optical and electromagnetic tracking systems. Greater investment of time and resources in R and D will foster further advancements in IGS systems. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Surgeons Find Image Guided Surgical Devices Eminently Suited for Surgeries on Delicate Structures Space Medicine Technology and Systems
Japan Unveils Artificial Hand With Air Muscles
Tokyo (AFP) June 26, 2007A Japanese robot maker on Tuesday unveiled what it called the world's first prototype of an artificial hand with "air muscles" that can do even delicate work like picking up a raw egg. Squse, a Kyoto-based robot and factory automation manufacturer, said it has developed a 400-gramme (14 ounce) hand with five human-sized fingers with artificial fibres that can be controlled by air pressure. |
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