Endoluminal Surgery

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) and Endoscopic Full Thickness Resection (EFTR) are advanced endoscopic techniques which can be time consuming using traditional endoscopic instruments. Under the visionary leadership of our Scientific Advisory Board members, we are creating a novel endo-surgery platform for flexible endoscopic therapy in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bringing laparoscopic technique to traditional flexible endoscopes. Our objective is to treat GI diseases directly and less invasively and avoid any collateral damage from major dissection to reach the diseased area, to improve clinical outcome and procedural efficiency.

During an upper GI porcine study at the Center for the Future of Surgery (UC San Diego) in December 2018, the functional capabilities of the platform and flexible articulating handheld instruments were evaluated. The distal esophagus and stomach could easily be accessed and the platform was effectively deployed. ESD was successfully performed, using our novel endo-surgery platform applied to a standard flexible endoscope, with good triangulation, excellent traction and re-traction, and sufficient grasping forces. Future studies are planned to determine the learning curve and compare it to traditional endoscopic instruments.