Minimally invasive therapy & allied technologies : MITAT : official journal of the Society for Minimally Invasive Therapy
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Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol · Jan 2007
Laparoscopic Nissen solo surgery using PMAT (first experience).
This article describes the use of a Postural Mechatronic Assistant Trainer (PMAT) in pediatric Nissen surgery. This mechatronic system enables users to establish the logistical considerations for solo surgery and determine the advantages this new tool offers for the autonomous handling of optics.
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Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol · Jan 2007
A new system for continuous recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring.
Existing nerve monitoring devices in thyroid surgery are - except for one - mainly intermittently working nerve identification tools. We present a new vagal electrode which allows true continuous monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The electrode was designed as a tripolar hybrid cuff electrode consisting of polyimide, gold and platinum layers embedded in a flexible silicon cuff which can be opened at the long side for introducing the nerve. ⋯ The stimulation current could be kept extremely low due to the special geometry of the electrode. It offers the possibility for uninterrupted, continuous laryngeal nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery. In an ongoing clinical trial its compatibility as an add-on for existing nerve monitoring devices is being tested.