University at Buffalo (UB)
Published April 19, 2019
Surgeons are pioneering LaparoGuard, a suite of new technologies for patients, at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
Developed by Mariner Endosurgery, LaparoGuard is a surgical navigation platform that augments visualization for minimally invasive surgeries. The first U.S. surgeries utilizing this advanced surgical technology will take place in Buffalo, led by Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, professor and chair, Department of Surgery in the Jacobs School.
"Mariner Endosurgery is pleased to establish this partnership with the Jacobs School and such eminent thought leaders in minimally invasive surgery," commented Mitch Wilson, president of Mariner Endosurgery. "As past president of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and an expert in pioneering the clinical use of advanced tools in laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Schwaitzberg is the perfect individual to lead U.S. introduction to LaparoGuard surgery. The facilities and level of industry-academic collaboration in Buffalo for surgical devices is exciting, and makes Buffalo an excellent U.S. entry point for our Company."
"The ability to identify critical anatomical structures and plan safe parthways optimizes the surgical planning process," says Schwaitzberg. "Mariner's surgical visualization technology may both reduce operating time and enhance clinical outcomes."
According to David Langlois, MD, and Chief Medical Officer of Mariner Endosurgery, safety zone annotations and surgical instrument movements can also be recorded by LaparoGuard systems. "This knowledge portal turns any operation into educational seminars that we can use to teach the next generation of surgeons," says Langlois. "Our cutting-edge technology underlines our focus on education and using innovative solutions to solve complex medical challenges."
The partnership between Mariner Endosurgery and the Jacobs School of Medicine is a direct result of the University at Buffalo's commitment to innovation. UB has undergone significant investments in new surgical robotics and advanced tools, designed to facilitate outstanding surgical training, in close collaboration with industry.