- Title: Chile start-up eyes U.S. sales of first-of-its-kind surgery device
- Date: 2nd December 2016
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (NOVEMBER 23, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FOUNDER AND CEO OF LEVITA MAGNETICS, DR. ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ NAVARRO, SAYING: "Basically, the concept is for one to place the device in the cavity and then move it with an external magnet through the wall. With that, you decrease the need to make incisions in order to move the surgical instruments and it also gives you much greater versatility since you are not limited to the point of entry. That is, the entry point limits the capacity of movements you can make. If you make the movement through the wall, it gives you a much richer range of movements and that allows the surgeon to have an instrument that is much more versatile, that sees better and that does the surgery in a better way. That is our objective."
- Embargoed: 17th December 2016 12:20
- Keywords: magnets Levita Magnetics surgery Silicon Valley
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- Country: Chile
- Reuters ID: LVA0035B6YZX7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Chilean surgeons are launching a new surgical technique using magnets outside the patient which is less invasive than current laparoscopic procedures.
The new technique was developed by Chilean surgeon, Dr. Alberto Rodriguez Navarro, who founded a small medical technology firm in Silicon Valley called Levita Magnetics.
The procedure centres around a device that places a small detachable tip inside the patient and then uses an external magnet to manipulate the tip and organs into a position that gives the surgeon room to manoeuvre.
"Basically, the concept is for one to place the device in the cavity and then move it with an external magnet through the wall. With that, you decrease the need to make incisions in order to move the surgical instruments and it also gives you much greater versatility since you are not limited to the point of entry. That is, the entry point limits the capacity of movements you can make. If you make the movement through the wall, it gives you a much richer range of movements and that allows the surgeon to have an instrument that is much more versatile, that sees better and that does the surgery in a better way. That is our objective," Navarro said.
He said the procedure makes surgery easier and allows the operation to be done less invasively.
One Chilean surgeon who is starting to use the technology said it has a positive impact on patients.
"With fewer incisions and smaller incisions, recovery is undoubtedly much more beneficial for the patient - less pain, less risk of bleeding," said Dr. Eugenio Rivas Zapata.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Navarro's system in June.
"We are the first in the world to develop a product with these characteristics. We were the first to register with the FDA and we are beginning to market it in the United States," he said.
Navarro founded Levita Magnetics in 2011. It is based in Silicon Valley but has operating centres at the Cleveland Clinic, Stanford University and Duke University.
This year the U.S. Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons awarded him "Innovation of 2016" for his new technology. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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