Globes [online] is reporting that Medigus Ltd., an Israeli company, which developed an endoscopy system for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), has filed for an IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
We, of course, have decided to follow up to find out how the system works. According to the manufacturer, the system’s crux is in the tip and the stapling cartridge:
The distal tip includes all the elements of a standard gastroscope and in addition includes the ultrasound measurement device, the anvil of the stapler and specialized screws for anchoring the scope while the procedure is performed. All this is included in a distal tip measuring only 15mm in diameter.
To perform the procedure:
1. The SRS endoscope is introduced into the stomach much like a standard gastroscope.
2. The operator selects a stapling site in the esophagus, 2.3 – 3.0 cm above the GE junction.
3. The operator inputs the distance from the incisors.
4. The endoscope is advanced into the stomach, and retroflexed to 180°.
5. It is then pulled back so that the cartridge is at the selected stapling site.
6. The endoscope is further flexed to 270°, until the tip is aligned with the cartridge.
7. The ultrasonic sight verifies that alignment is perfect and that the distance between the anvil and the tip is small enough.
8. The operator then cranks a flywheel which extrudes two tiny screws, which penetratethe tissue, and lock the anvil and cartridge together.
9. The staples are then fired, the screws are withdrawn, and the scope is extended, and withdrawn.
10. The SRS is reloaded with a new cartridge, and the procedure is repeated.
11. The final result is an antero-lateral wrap, which tapers from 120 to 180 degrees, and augments the angle of His.
the tissue, and lock the anvil and cartridge together.Pretty neat for a procedure that until now could only be performed surgically.
More at Medigus…