Sick Kids takes center stage in robotics, imaging and simulation technology development
At first glance, it is commonly known as first-time visitors to the hospital for sick children or “sick kids” to be forgiven by thinking that they are a luxurious shopping center rather than a major specialist pediatric hospital Were in Actually, it has coffee bars, food outlets, and beyond. The city’s Toronto-based hospital is a large complex of old and new buildings, colorful furniture, and equipment and is equipped with a helipad, one of only three medical centers in the city.
Center for Image-Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Innovation
Somehow, the combination works because the hospital has grown rapidly to become Canada’s largest center for child health research. Supporting this strategy is the Center for Image-Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Innovation (CIGITI), which was established in 2009 at SickKids and is developing three technologies with pediatric and fetal applications under public/private partnership: ie Minimum features – Invasive endoscopic manipulators, a natural orifice anastomotic device and MR-guided high intensity Famous female necromancers
In terms of KidsArm technology development, public contributions come in the form of research and clinical expertise (SickKids) and government-based funding, while private sector contributions contribute to robotics (MDA Corporation), imaging (Philips Healthcare), and simulation. is. gives. (L-3 Communications MAPPS) technology.
The ambition for KidsArm can hardly be called trivial. The goal is for the technology to effectively secure a position as a world leader in robotic surgery and imaging. Billed as the first robotic surgical arm for pediatric imaging, the device allows surgeons to navigate a specific treatment area without impact on structures such as blood vessels. It can also be used to perform procedures such as suturing of vessels and tissues at least ten times faster than a surgeon.
The surgical platform is intended for use with all major surgical specialties including cardiac, fetal, neurosurgery / general surgery, and neurosurgical fields. The device also has the advantage of producing a virtual reality-based model, which can be used in planning and teaching.
As with all high-profile technological breakthroughs, CIGITI has not found a clear field in terms of competitors, including the likes of Spontaneous Surgical, which has recently been a leader in robotic technology through its Mexican system. Has emerged in the form. Nevertheless, confidence in KidsArm’s characteristics is strong and in a presentation to analysts, CIGITI has no fear of being held back head-on compared to Spontaneous Surgical.
First, CIGITI states that KidsAram is significantly smaller and lighter than Intuitive and that its device will be much cheaper and adaptable than its competitor. As the kids are device is specifically targeted for pediatric use, it can also be used for any procedure that requires minimal inversion. In contrast, Intuitive’s technique is too large for pediatric use and is limited to urological applications. Other technology standouts for KidsArm include built-in telesurgery and imaging guidance that initially focused on MRI.
In contrast to spontaneous, the development of CIGITI’s technology is still in relatively fetal stages, although a clinical work model is expected to emerge within two years. Supported by C $ 10 million in funding provided by the Canadian government in 2010, Phase I of the program, which began in 2009, has focused on the development of technological innovations such as advanced complex surgical delivery, multi-modality fusion. Area of. And the creation of real-time image guidance and surgical simulation models.
While the process still continues throughout 2012, Phase II of the program, which began in 2011 and will run for two years, includes a critical analysis of KidsArm technology. This includes minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus robotic surgery, a look at fusion and real-time image-guidance, and improving the accuracy of surgical systems and simulation modules. The analysis will also be performed on high-frequency imaging for fetal intervention procedures. All this work, if it continues to affect, is likely to lead to commercial and clinical opportunities for the technology from 2014 onwards.
So why is a hospital playing such an active role in product development and when it is providing healthcare a primary role? In addition to revenue, the ability to create IP assets that can be used for licensed or start-up companies, collaboration is for general high-end manufacturing jobs, healthcare and research opportunities, and substantial improvements in education for school students. Growing all the way to medical staff in Canada and the province of Ontario.
For SickKids, such efforts help improve patient care and the quality of healthcare provided by the institution. by introducing novel image-guided tools into the pediatric setting. So far, in just two years, SickKids / CIGITI has created a number of positions across all levels of academia, filed for three patents covering surgical tools (including one for KidsArm), secured C $ 25.8 million in research funding, signed a licensing agreement with Medical modeling related to patient-specific cranial facial models and templates and for tentative links with venture capitalists.
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