The Chamberlain Group, producers of anatomically accurate surgical trainers, announced two new robotic surgery training devices: a comprehensive Uterine Robotic Surgery Trainer and the next generation of its Robotic System Skills Kit, a modular tool for practicing basic skills in robotic surgery.
According to Lisa Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Group’s co-founder, the Uterine Trainer is a lifelike, full-scale model of the human uterus and vaginal canal. It is composed of Chamberlain’s proprietary polymer that looks and feels like living tissue, has appropriate elasticity and can be cut and sutured.
Physicians using the new Uterine Trainer may practice robotic skills used in myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroid tumors), hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and sacrocolpopexy (correcting vaginal vault prolapse). Ms. Chamberlain pointed out that following a practice myomectomy using the trainer, the physician may perform a colpotomy (separating the uterus from the vagina) which is a skill performed during a hysterectomy. The remaining vaginal canal may then be affixed to mesh and a sacrocolpopexy performed by attaching the mesh to the available sacral tissue.
The Uterine Trainer has a replaceable uterus which permits unlimited practice. Ms. Chamberlain noted that while the trainer is primarily designed for robotic skill training, it may also be utilized for any abdominal approach training including laparoscopy.
Trainers Developed for Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System
According to Ms. Chamberlain, both the Uterine Trainer and the Robotic System Skills Kit were developed in direct response to the company’s client, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), a recognized pioneer and leader in robotic surgery, for training on their da Vinci® Surgical System. Industry analysts estimate that over 1,000 da Vinci Systems will be installed in hospitals worldwide by the end of 2008 and that demand is expected to increase.
In robotic surgery physicians use computer-assisted surgical instrumentation yielding greater precision, dexterity and control, the sum of which enables enhanced patient safety, reduced blood loss, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and less scarring . da Vinci® Prostatectomy is the #1 choice for treatment of localized prostate cancer* in the United States and medical experts predict that it will soon become the standard of care for hysterectomy. Growth of hysterectomy procedures using the da Vinci® Surgical System is forecast at 150% per year.
Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System provides surgeons with the ability to control instruments with the damping of natural tremors in the surgeon’s hand, the ability to safely manipulate very delicate tissues and a three-dimensional, magnified view of the surgical field all through minimally invasive ports in the body.
Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci Surgical Systems are used by many physicians within urology, gynecology, cardiothoracic surgery, and general surgery . Medical analysts estimate that approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the US alone.
Robotic System Skills Kit Trains On Surgical Skills
The Robotic System Skills Kit is comprised of four different components, each designed to help surgeons practice a specific skill utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System.
The Chamberlain kit includes a Manipulation Skills Set, designed to practice dexterity in handling robotic surgical instruments and manipulating small structures; a Dissection Skills Pod to practice skills by moving through superficial tissue layers to expose deeper vessels; a Suturing Skills Pod designed to practice skills by closure of linear defects; and a Transection Skills Model that enhances skills by carefully cutting within very narrow, defined boundaries.
Chamberlain’s Broad Range of Surgical and Procedure Models
The Chamberlain Group designs and builds models for a broad range of surgical and interventional procedures including cardiothoracic, general and gastrointestinal, reproductive and urological and vascular applications. In addition to Intuitive, Chamberlain provides custom surgical and training models to over 150 medical device manufacturers and hospitals and offers over 500 products it has created and markets.
Ms. Chamberlain pointed out there is a growing demand for better training methods across all types of surgical and interventional procedures and that major hospitals are building surgical simulation laboratories. Highly accurate, mimetic tissue anatomical trainers provide a more realistic and cost-effective alternative to traditional training in the operating room, with animals, or with cadavers, thus reducing patient risk and health care costs.
In addition to training surgeons on robotic skills, the materials are also used to train novice resident surgeons learning basic skills.
About The Chamberlain Group
The Chamberlain Group, based in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is the worldwide leader in the development of custom anatomical surgical trainers. Founded in 1999, the company designs and manufactures anatomically accurate medical models that capture the consistency and response of living tissue. These models provide the best alternative to animals and cadavers for demonstrating medical devices and teaching new procedures. The Chamberlain Group’s models are used for cardiothoracic, vascular, general and gastrointestinal, reproductive, urological, and pulmonary training. The company currently works with more than 150 leading medical device manufacturers and teaching institutions in 40 countries. www.thecgroup.com
About Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical leads the development and commercialization of robotic technology designed to extend the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to broadest possible base of patients. Intuitive’s products can provide surgeons with all the clinical and technical capabilities of traditional open surgery while enabling them to operate through tiny incisions.
Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System combines a high definition 3D visualization for the surgeon along with the ability to precisely maneuver an endoscope, and a variety of articulating EndoWrist® Instruments using three or four robotic arms. All of this combined with an intuitive, ergonomic interface enables breakthrough surgical capabilities.
By integrating computer-enhanced technology with surgeons’ technical skills, Intuitive Surgical believes that the da Vinci® Surgical System enables surgeons to perform better surgery in a manner never before experienced. The da Vinci® Surgical System seamlessly and directly translates the surgeon’s natural hand, wrist and finger movements on instrument controls at the Surgeon’s Console outside the patient’s body into corresponding micro-movements of the instrument tips positioned inside the patient through tiny incisions, or ports.
Intuitive Surgical® da Vinci®, da Vinci®S, and EndoWrist® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Contacts:
The Chamberlain Group
Lisa Chamberlain
Vice President/Managing Partner
413 528 7744
lisa@thecgroup.com
Media
David Carriere
413 243 6767
david@davidcarriere.org
Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Nora Distefano
Market Development Specialist
408 523 2199
Cell: 408 594 4100
Nora.distefano@intuisurg.com
Original Article from: http://www.newsrx.com