Lightpoint Medical’s SENSEI, a robotic gamma probe has been used in a world-first lung surgery performed in the US to locate lung lesions.
Dr Doug Adams, a specialist in robotic thoracic surgery at Bethesda North Hospital performed the ‘first in the world’ lung procedure using a new miniature robotic gamma probe, SENSEI created by Lightpoint Medical.
The probe is smaller than an AA battery and has been designed specifically for robotic and minimally invasive surgery. The miniature size makes the technology perfect for tight surgical spaces such as the thoracic and pelvic areas.
Dr Adams utilised the SENSEI Da Vinci Xi probe in two procedures. The probe helps to intra-operatively locate small lung lesions in order to help diagnose disease. The Da Vinci Xi is already in use across the world for surgeries including prostate, cervical and colorectal cancer.
The probe can detect gamma emissions intra-operatively from radiopharmaceuticals. In thoracic surgery, it is used to locate pulmonary lesions. Small lesions are difficult to locate during surgery.
SENSEI probe
Dr Doug Adams, cardiothoracic surgeon, Bethesda North Hospital said, “Using SENSEI was very straightforward with the da Vinci Xi. I was able to easily manipulate the probe within the surgical cavity, see the gamma signal within the robotic console, and quickly locate the small lesions.
Being able to perform the procedure with minimal impact on the patient is a high surgical priority. By having a technique that can be easily carried out minimally-invasively with a surgical robot is a significant improvement and technological advance.”
Lightpoint Medical CEO, Graeme Smith, added, “Dr Adams use in the USA and in the lung are both “firsts” for SENSEI and are significant milestones for Lightpoint Medical. SENSEI’s unique features are ideal for thoracic procedures and offer the potential for better outcomes for patients and clinicians.”
