A “Snake” Performs Surgery

March 25, 2009

While there are other non-evasive tools being used today, they need several entry points, cannot maneuver in complex areas, and only allow a straight line path to the organ. CardioARM is controlled by a joystick, has a 103 degree range, and can wrap around organs, reaching normally inaccessible places. The highly flexible probe can assume the shape of its surroundings or be reshaped as needed. It can “remember” where it was in space and time to avoid harming delicate tissues as it retracts from any point. A working channel inside the “snake” allows surgeons to pass tools to deep regions inside the body.

Tested on pigs, human trials are expected some time this year. One day, the researchers hope CardioARM can be inserted through one location, with several arms like tentacles, so each arm could operate in unison on a different part of the body! The company has also designed a laparoARM, gastroARM, and arthroARM.

For more information: www.cardiorobotics.com; [email protected]; (1) 401-847-7080.

By Charleeda Sprinkle, Assistant Editor