Value Proposition:
· Autonomous control of suture needles for surgical procedures using magnetic elements
· Tetherless magnetic steering of suture needles leads to less invasive surgeries with shorter recovery times
· Operation may be performed autonomously using computer-guidance, or via user input for minimally invasive surgical procedures
Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed MagnetoSuture, a robotic surgical system that uses magnetic elements to control suture needles for minimally invasive robotic procedures. The MagnetoSuture system can manipulate suture needles without direct contact leading to decreased invasiveness and associated procedural trauma.
Unmet Need
· Robotic surgery systems for minimally invasive surgeries are being developed to improve surgical precision and reduce overall invasiveness. However, robotic needle manipulators that are currently used have a large mechanical footprint which can lead to increased tissue damage, infections, and large scars. Therefore, there is a strong need for the development of robotic surgical systems that are minimally invasive to improve patient experience and success of surgeries.
Stage of Development
· Preclinical stage of development.
Publication
Mair et al., 2020. MagnetoSuture: Tetherless Manipulation of Suture Needles. IEEE
