Devices and systems targeted towards augmented robotic radical prostatectomy #2 – DEPORRA2
Surgical treatment of prostate cancer (one of the first cause of mortality by cancer in men) is in mutation with the introduction of robotic systems in the operating room (such as the da Vinci® telesurgery system or the ViKY® endoscope holder). However, robot assisted procedures do not exploit endo-urethral or fluorescence imaging yet, though they would allow the surgeon to “see beyond the visible”, helping him to perform his gesture optimally. These new per-operative imaging modalities are impatiently awaited by surgeons in order to bring pertinent therapeutic response to the surgical treatment of prostate cancer, a real Public Health problem doomed to increase in the future years.
DEPORRA2 aims at demonstrating that we can offer the surgeon, the possibility to explore per-operatively the prostatic tissue, through an “augmented” robotic environment, by enriching the laparoscopic images with endo-urethral ultrasound imaging and with mini-camera imaging.
DEPORRA2 is a “follow-up” project, in continuity with the DEPORRA project, in which we demonstrated our capacity to conceive and develop:
1) Miniature tools adapted to the radical prostatectomy problematic: flexible intraurethral ultrasound probe and associated software, bimodal fluorescence probe for the detection of the nature (prostatic / non prostatic) and quality (malignant / non malignant) of dissected tissue, stereoscopic “global vision” system;
2) Registration methods for the fusion of this multimodal information in an enriched robotic environment in view of offering the surgeon an exhaustive view of the surgical environment, based on which he will be able to undertake strategic per-operative decisions.
We now need to change dimension and maturate these innovations towards medical devices ready for clinical validation. This will go through:
1) Putting in place harmonious software and navigation procedures guiding the surgeon in the realization of his gesture (e.g. avoid structures whose damage can induce a degradation of the quality of life)
2) Enhancing the most "mature" technological bricks of DEPORRA to bring them closer to clinical constraints (this will require a pushed evaluation on pre-clinical and clinical data that are currently gathered through running biomedical protocols). The less mature fluorescence characterization aspects have been removed from this follow-up project but are adressed in another running project (AAP INCA "translational research").
3) The preparation of biomedical research in order to make a first estimation of the delivered medical service of the proposed innovations.
A consortium of experts has been consituted to take up these challenges: Vermon brings its capacity to miniaturize and to dedicate ultrasound devices to the navigation of prostatic tissue; TIMC-IMAG/DyCTIM brings its expertise in the field of fluorescent tracers of the tissue nature, SQI brings its know-how in the development and risk analysis of medical devices (software + hardware). TIMC-IMAG/CAMI has a long experience in the conception and integration of multimodal systems for Computer Assisted Medical Interventions. Finally the Centre d’Investigation Clinique – Innovation Technologique of the Grenoble University Hospital brings, with its clinical partners, the environment for the support of (pre-)clinical validation of the prototypes. At the end of this industrial research project, we will have all the scientific, technical and clinical elements to make a high-stake product. DEPORRA2 will reinforce the position of complementary and highly specialized industrial actors, Vermon and SQI, by generating a niche line of business in the urology market thanks to an extremely innovative approach.
Project coordination
Sandrine Voros (Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG (UMR 5525))
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partner
TIMC-IMAG Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG (UMR 5525)
SQI SurgiQual Institute
VERMON VERMON SA
CHUG/CIC-IT CHU Grenoble
Help of the ANR 679,553 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
September 2014
- 42 Months