UC Surgeon-Scientist Receives $1.5 Million Grant to Study Heart ...

Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI) in the News
Surgery in Space Symposium
Mr. Charles Doarn (Executive Director) and Dr. Timothy Broderick
(Medical Director) of the CSI served as co-chairs along with Canadian
Astronaut, Dr. Dave Williams, in conducting the inaugural Surgery in
Space Symposium. The symposium, held adjacent to the NASA
Johnson Space Center, was funded by Mr. Doarn's 2004 Dean's
Discovery Fund and his $20,000 grant from the US Army's
Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC).
Industrial sponsorship was provided by MD Robotics. The day-and-ahalf
symposium brought together a wide range of individuals, including
astronauts, researchers and explorers who shared their experiences
and challenges of performing surgery in space and during groundbased
research. Future surgical systems, battlefield surgery, and the
extremes of Mt. Everest were presented. CSI personnel at the symposium
included Mr. Doarn, Dr. Broderick, Ms. Elyssa Westrich, Mr.
Brett Harnett and surgery resident, Dr. Thomas Husted.
Participants at the Surgery in Space Symposium
Outreach
CSI worked closely with Dr. Joseph Buell of the Division of
Transplantation to develop a unique, information-rich web site on
laparoscopic liver surgery. Entitled Lapliver.com, this site contains
valuable information for patients and physicians alike. Visit the site at
www.lapliver.com.
Courses
The CSI continues to work closely with several divisions within
Surgery to develop training courses, which are sponsor-specific or
CME. In September, CSI worked with Dr. Buell and Transplantation
to hold the second “Advances in Laparoscopic Hepatic Surgery
Course” which was attended by 30 surgeons from around the world.
The CSI also worked with AutoSuture (US Surgical) to conduct an
industry-sponsored lab, entitled “Laparoscopic Skills & Intracorporeal
Suturing.” Both courses involved didactic and laboratory sessions.
CSI works closely with AtriCure through unrestricted education grants
to conduct didactic training entitled “Closed Chest Seminars on the
Minimaze.” Courses are coordinated here at UC and at the Cleveland
Clinic. The UC courses held each month are attended by more than 20
surgeons each time. These courses include a telesurgery component.
Grants
CSI faculty received several grant awards in the past several months:
* Dr. Broderick's second extension on his intergovernmental personnel
agreement (IPA) with the US Army's TATRC.
* Dr. Wolf began a clinical trial with AtriCure on Restore-SR II,
“Thoracoscopically-Assisted Epicardial Bilateral Pulmonary Vein
Isolation Using the AtriCure Bipolar System and Exclusion of the Left
Atrial Appendage for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.” Dr. Wolf is
the Principal Investigator (PI) of this multi-center trial.
* UC has developed and signed a joint use agreement (JUA) with the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) in support of the CCF's WCI /
BRTT award from the State of Ohio to develop the Atrial Fibrillation
Innovation Center (AFIC). With final approval from the UC Board of
Trustees and the State Controlling Board, this effort began on
December 1, 2005. CSI has a significant role in this effort, including
research focused on minimally invasive surgery. In addition, Dr. Wolf
is on the Board of Directors of the AFIC.
* CardioEnergetics received an award notice that its proposal,
“Evaluation of Durable Muscle-Prosthetic Bond for Artificial Tendons
in Animate Models” was approved by NIH. UC and CSI will serve as
the research partner. Mr. Doarn will serve as the PI for the UC side.
CSI's role is to provide animal and surgery support.
Capabilities
CSI has worked closely with the Emergency Department (ED) to
develop linkages between the ED and the OR. This permits real-time
videoconferencing between the ED and the OR. Cameras installed in
the ED trauma bays provide an opportunity for teaching and collaboration
as patients are transferred to surgery. This system provides a
unique opportunity for ED to follow up on patients that it transfers for
surgical intervention. This is a tremendous collaborative teaching tool.
CSI to Co-Sponsor “Nanoscience” Seminar
The UC Department of
Biomedical Engineering,
the Institute for Nanoscale
Science and Technology,
and the CSI will sponsor a
half-day free seminar on
“Nanoscale Science and
Technology in Medicine”
on Friday, January 20,
2006, from 7:30 am -
12:30 pm at the Kingsgate
Conference Center in
Cincinnati. For information,
visit the website at
http://www.eng.uc.edu/
dept_biomed/seminar_
registration/page1.htm
and click on the black buttons
at the top to access
speaker information, a
schedule, and registration.