The Operating Theatre Journal November 2020

MMI SpA Launches Breakthrough Technology,
Advancing Robotic Microsurgery with the
World’s Smallest Wristed Surgical Instruments
First Procedures Performed with the Symani Surgical System
MMI SpA, an Italian company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes
for patients undergoing microsurgery, announced today the CE Mark,
launch and first human use of its Symani® Surgical System in Europe
for open microsurgical procedures. The first four robotic surgeries were
successfully performed in Florence, Italy, including three complex,
post-traumatic lower limb reconstructions as well as a post-oncological
reconstruction of the pharynx.
Addenbrooke’s first
in UK to deploy single
use scope
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has
started using the world’s first disposable version of a medical
instrument that plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating diseases
of the small intestine.
“There is a clear demand for robotics in microsurgery as the limits
of the human hand have already been reached. We founded MMI to
develop a robotic system designed for and with microsurgeons that
will improve outcomes and address unmet patient needs, particularly
through supermicrosurgery techniques which are required for lymphatic
and other extremely delicate procedures. We are pleased to be at the
forefront of a new era in robotic surgery as we launch our Symani
System in Europe,” said Giuseppe Maria Prisco, co-founder and CEO of
MMI.
Dr Gareth Corbett (centre) with Laura Knowles and Ben Godfrey
from Boston Scientific
A duodenoscope is a hollow, flexible, lighted tube which passes
down the throat to allow doctors to see the top of the duodenum
and diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer or gallstones in the
pancreas and bile ducts. Until now, each instrument has had to be
sterilised or high level disinfected after use.
The EXALT Model D Single Use Duodenoscope benefited three
Addenbrooke’s patients for the first time last week and improved
at a stroke the already super-high infection control standards in the
endoscopy department.
The new scopes reduce the risk of bile duct infections, particularly for
patients with reduced immune systems. It helps in the ongoing fight
against hard-to-treat infections and has extra significance with the
arrival of COVID-19.
It is helpful to staff because they will be able to continue service
in the event of breakdowns of current endoscopes, or sterilising
equipment, ending delays in the therapeutic procedures for patients.
The Symani Surgical System combines the benefits of tremor
reduction and motion scaling (7-20x) with the world’s smallest
wristed instrumentation, offering seven degrees of freedom and
dexterity beyond the reach of human hands. The system’s NanoWrist®
instruments are designed to overcome the challenges of free-flap
reconstructions, replantations, congenital malformations, peripheral
nerve repairs and lymphatic surgery, which together represent over
one million procedures annually in the U.S. and Europe alone.
“Microsurgery and supermicrosurgery – as a tool, technique and
discipline – continue to evolve. The use of robotics holds great promise
to advance the specialty of microsurgery and improve care for patients
affected by trauma, cancer, congenital malformations and even chronic
conditions such as lymphedema,” commented L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS,
FAOA, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of
the Plastic Surgery Division at the University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine.
“We are proud to bring this innovation to European patients and
look forward to enabling surgeons worldwide to address challenging
procedures on extremely small anatomy with increased precision,
reproducibility and efficiency,” said Hannah Teichmann, co-founder and
Vice President of Clinical Development of MMI.
The MMI system for robotic microsurgery is currently only commercially
available in the European Economic Area. www.mmimicro.com
CUH clinical director for digestive diseases and consultant
gastroenterologist, Dr Gareth Corbett, said: “This technology is
the first in a field change in endoscopy moving towards single use
instruments which are sterile packaged.
“As a centre that is a national and international leader in healthcare
treatments and technology, we are in a strong position to provide
evaluation and technical expertise to support the development of this
type of technology.
“We are delighted to be chosen to become the first Trust in the UK to
use and evaluate this particular instrument, which we think has great
benefits for our patients and our staff.”
The EXALT Model D, made by Boston Scientific, is the only CE Marked
single-use disposable duodenoscope. It was also granted Breakthrough
Device Designation from the American Food and Drug Administration.
Darragh Tolan, vice-president, Endoscopy at Boston Scientific said CUH
was first choice for the UK roll-out because of its standing as a worldleader
in the detection and treatment of biliary disease.
He added: “This is a great milestone for the UK and we are delighted
to work with the fantastic team at Addenbrooke’s to hold the
country’s very first case using EXALT Model D.
“At Boston Scientific, patients are at the heart of what we do and now
more than ever, we need to support healthcare providers such as the
NHS to provide the highest quality care.”
Source: BusinessWeekly
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