Microsulis Medical is reporting that its Acculis microwave thermal ablation system has been successfully integrated with the da Vinci robotic surgical system and used to perform a minimally invasive hepatectomy.
The Acculis Accu2i pMTA applicator delivers microwave energy at 2.45 GHz while pumping cooling fluid through the applicator needle to keep the device within operating temperatures.
Some details about the procedure:
The patient, a 60-year-old female, presented with a liver lesion measuring 3.5cm. Dr Legaspi used the da Vinci’s state-of-the-art robotic technology to operate through tiny incisions in the patient’s abdomen. Using intra-operative ultrasound and direct visual guidance he located the target coagulation zones and used the da Vinci system to place the Accu2i pMTA along the line he intended to cut in order to minimise blood loss. In total he conducted six 120 watt, two minute burns.
Dr Legaspi then proceeded to cut out the lesion with minimal blood loss while carrying out three further two minute burns at 180 watts. At the end of the operation the removed tissue measured approximately 5.5cm, providing an excellent margin, and the collection canister was empty, with only trace amounts of blood in the suction tubing. In total, the patient was in theatre for two and half hours.
Here’s a demo we captured of a beef liver ablation using the Acculis MTA system at RSNA 2010:
Press release: Microsulis Medical’s ablation device used in first microwave assisted robotic liver resection
Product page: Acculis MTA system
Flashback: Acculis Accu2i Microwave Tissue Ablation System Gets US Green Light; Acculis Microwave Thermal Ablation Demo at RSNA 2010