Cutting Edge: 3D Tech Boosts Surgical Precision

Moviegoers aren't the only ones wearing 3D glasses nowadays — doctors could benefit from them, too, a new study suggests.

In the past, doctors have been skeptical of using 3D technology in their work, preferring to rely on their own experience. But that may change, thanks to improved 3D glasses and even glasses-free systems. Funded by industry sponsors, the study of 50 surgeons using the new technology showed improvements in surgical precision and speed.

3D Laparascopy

"While the technology still requires some fine-tuning, technology without the need to wear special glasses will increase the popularity of 3D systems in operating rooms," study leader Ulrich Leiner of the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) in Berlin said in a statement.

3DLivesurgery offers products and services to record surgeries in 3D

Improvements to screens are driving developments in 3D technology. High-definition screens are already available. The next step is ultra-high definition, with a sixteenfold improvement in resolution, according to study co-author Michael Witte of HHI.

To evaluate whether new 3D technology was ready for hospital applications, researchers invited surgeons from the Klinikum rechts der Isar's surgical hospital to test it out. A leading endoscope manufacturer and an international display company funded the study.

The surgeons tested four different systems: 2D, 3D with glasses, 3D without glasses and a mirror-based 3D system. The glasses-free model relied on an eye-tracking camera system that delivered separate images to each eye, creating a 3D effect in the brain.

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3D surgery success in Manchester Royal Infirmary’s

It seems that the 3D format has opened new paths in the sphere of medicine as Manchester Royal Infirmary’s doctors have revealed that they made use of a tridimensional projector while performing a surgery. Very successfully too.

While in theatre, the team wore special glasses to view the process in crystal clear 3D.

According to the medical experts, new technologies combined with the 3D format will allow doctors more flexibility while operating and will lessen the risks of some advanced operations (breaking muscle tissue, nerve damage).

During this particular surgery, a robotic arm with a built-in 3D camera gave doctors the possibility to see every tridimensional detail of how the technology assisted in carrying out the operation.

It seems that using 3D in instances such as this can display the strengths of robotic technologies as well as pinpoint areas where it is lacking.

A spokesperson for the hospital said that using 3D and robotic arms could potentially allow surgeons to perform “more operations with even better outcomes.”

One of the surgeons, Dan Burke, also added that he hoped that the technology will be made available for other patients as it made the process much faster and accurate as the technology is more flexible than a human wrist.

Titan Medical Inc. Completes Amadeus Composer(TM) Pre-Production Console and Video Tower

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 1, 2011) - Titan Medical Inc. ("the Company") (TSX VENTURE:TMD) announced that it has completed prototypes of the pre-production Surgeon Console and Video Tower, and Beta Patient Cart of its Amadeus Composer™ platform. The pre-production versions of the Surgeon Console and Video 3D Tower are in the final phases of development and Titan plans to move forward to final design for manufacture and testing.

Craig Leon, Chief Executive Officer of Titan Medical Inc., commented, "I am extremely pleased with the efforts and dedication of our engineering team and development partners in completing the Console and Video Tower of Amadeus Composer™ on schedule. This marks a significant advancement in Titan Medical's development cycle. We are now committed to proceeding to our next major milestone of tissue and animal feasibility studies by the middle of 2012."

Amadeus Composer™ is a next generation surgical system that has a uniquely designed external robot and flexible instruments which allow surgeons to overcome constraints of surgical procedures in small to medium spaces. Amadeus Composer™ is designed for use in robotic surgery procedures such as thoracic (lung), ENT (ear, nose and throat), general surgical procedures as well as other surgical cases that are performed in very small and tight spaces. Other elements that make up the Amadeus™ Robotic Surgical System include communications, simulation systems and haptics.

About Titan Medical Inc.

Titan Medical Inc. is a Canadian public company (TSX VENTURE:TMD) focused on the development and commercialization of robotic surgical technologies. The Company is currently developing Amadeus Composer™, a surgical system that has a uniquely designed external robot and flexible instruments, and allows surgeons to overcome constraints of surgical procedures in small to medium spaces. Amadeus Maestro™, the Company's next generation 4-armed robotic surgical system with advanced communication and training, utilizes the Titan True Touch Technology™ and is targeted to surgical procedures in large spaces. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.titanmedicalinc.com.

Robotic Surgery Training at World Laparoscopy Hospital

 World Laparoscopy Hospital offers tremendous educational value. The forecast for robotic surgery is continued significant growth as it becomes the gold standard in many advanced surgical procedures. The future of laparoscopic surgery is now found in 3D through the eyes of a robot. It is the mission of the World Laparoscopy Hospital is to teach robotic techniques in multiple sub-specialties to other teams in a highly efficient and cost effective way.

Robotic surgery education program is designed to teach robotic techniques to other teams in a highly efficient and cost-effective way. World Laparoscopy Hospital can facilitate benefits for new and existing robotic programs in a variety of ways:

1. Advance the growth and application of robotic surgery via the utilization of the most current technological advancements through expertly led robotic surgery education programs.
2. Provide efficient spatiotemporal teaching methods in conjunction with state-of-the-art training modules.
3. Provide facilities with the recognition of being true patient advocates by making available minimally invasive procedures to both patients and surgeon.

The choice for da Vinci Surgery is validated by numerous clinical publications, hundreds of surgeons and thousands of patients from around the world. Read more of the evidence-based science behind da Vinci Surgery.

Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System combines superior 3D high definition vision with our patented EndoWrist® Instruments allowing for enhanced dexterity, precision and control. The end result: a breakthrough in surgical capabilities.

A number of procedures that could not be performed using traditional minimally invasive technologies can now be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. The advanced features and extensive EndoWrist® instrumentation of the da Vinci System allow surgeons to perform more procedures through small, 1-2 cm incisions.