Knee surgeons to trial robotic arm
04 Jun 10
A robotic arm designed to aid doctors and make surgery more accurate is to be used in trials in Scotland, it has emerged.
The arm will be used in clinical trials across Glasgow, including at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Royal Infirmary and at the University of Strathclyde.
The device was created by Mako Surgical Corp and has only ever been used in the US before.
Doctors in Glasgow are to trial the arm while carrying out replacement knee procedures.
The unveiling of the arm tied in with the opening of the university's bio-engineering department, where the new Mako Centre for Surgical Robotics is located.
The US company said the arm could "enhance the accuracy" of procedures, while patients may benefit from quicker healing times.
University principal Jim McDonald said: "The creation of the Centre for Surgical Robotics reflects Strathclyde's strategic mission to apply high-quality research and enhance our successful links with industry and the NHS to bring benefits to wider society.
"If successful, the centre will contribute to improving the functional outcome of knee surgery patients in Glasgow, reducing pain and helping patients recover more quickly.
"In addition, the technology could reduce the cost to the NHS.
"The potential for further developments through this new partnership could transform many other aspects of orthopaedic surgery."
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