The Cutting Edge

Tumour Trapping

26/09/2014 09:34
Glioblastoma multiforme cancer, or GBM, is the most common form of brain cancer accounting for about 50% of brain tumour cases. As with other metastasising cancers, it releases enzymes into its surrounding environment to break down surrounding tissue and divides uncontrollably, both processes...

Proton Therapy

22/09/2014 12:08
Proton Therapy has come about out of issues with the use of X-rays. Essentially the benefit is added precision and dosage of radiation. X-rays disperse from the line of fire and also continue through the tumour therefore striking surrounding, healthy, cells. Protons however,...

The da Vinci Surgery System

07/01/2014 12:11
The da Vinci Surgery System is a very cool piece of kit. It is effectively a robot that is capable of performing lacroscopic surgery far more precisely than a human possibly could. the video I have embedded explains the advantages very well; it allows depth perception due to its use of two cameras...

ICD

09/12/2013 13:13
The Implantable Cardioconverter device (ICD) is effectively a portable defibrillator device which is surgically implanted pectoraly. Two wires are surgically placed transvenously across the superior Vena Cava which are used to input the cardiac stroke rate to the device. During Cardio tachyrhythmia...

Medtronic Octopus

09/12/2013 13:12
The Medtronic Octopus is a device that facilitates and assists in off-pump cardiac operations. The clamp is attached to the side of the thoracic retractors and the articulated arm is used to position a dual vacuum system over the heart which, once the suction is turned on, allows the heart to be...