BGU University Develops Smart Sensing Catheter

25 December, 2012

The device provides immediate and continuous assessment of the metabolic and physiological profile of critically ill infants and small children

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev, Israel, developes Smart Sensing Catheter in collaboration with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in Cincinnati, US.

The smart sensing catheter concept was developed by Richard Azizkhan , MD, surgeon-in-chief at CCHMC and the Lester W. Martin Chair of Pediatric Surgery, and Ibrahim Abdulhalim, professor of electro-optical engineering at BGU.  The device provides immediate and continuous assessment of the metabolic and physiological profile of critically ill infants and small children. “Secondarily, this technology will reduce the need for repeated tests, thus reducing costs for the health system and society,” said Azizkhan. Because catheter utilization is so widespread, this technology has the potential for broader application in the adult market.
The collaboration, which pairs the medical expertise of CCHMC physicians with the technical and engineering capabilities of BGU, started with nearly 80 unaddressed problems facing surgeons and physicians. After reviewing these ideas and proposed solutions, 10 projects went through rigorous application cycles, thorough market analyses and review by internal and external stakeholders.

The three approved projects include a smart sensing catheter, a surfactant-delivery device and an image-guided needle insertion device. Each project is being led by a CCHMC clinician or surgeon and a BGU engineer. Daniel von Allmen , MD, director, Division of General and Thoracic Surgery at CCHMC and Hugo Guterman , professor of electrical and computer engineering at BGU are collaborating on the Image Guided Needle Insertion Device concept.
It combines sophisticated new imaging techniques with the precision of robotics to improve the accuracy of many procedures currently done in medicine. “The device substantially improves the accuracy for a number of invasive procedures while decreasing the level of necessary expertise and therefore costs associated with current practice,” von Allmen said. While initially targeting the pediatric market, this technology represents potential for the adult market as well.

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