Having received regulatory approval in Europe and now de novo clearance in the U.S., Levita Magnetics, a company headquartered in San Mateo, California, is releasing its magnetic surgical system. The instrument is inserted like other laparoscopic devices, but the tool on the tip can be detached from the shaft and moved around independently using an external magnet.
It has the first indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, offering the benefit of removing one incision from the procedure. The instrument is used to grab onto the gallbladder like in a traditional laparoscopic way. It is then disconnected from the shaft while still holding onto the organ and the magnet used to pull on it. By manipulating the magnet, the surgeon exposes the rest of the organ and makes it possible to make cuts that would otherwise be hidden.
Other applications of the technology should be on the way. This would require rethinking how procedures can take advantage of Levita’s magnetic technology.
Take a look at this animation that shows how the Levita system is used during gallbladder removal:
Product page: Levita Magnetic Surgical Platform…
Via: Levita Magnetics…