SINGAPORE: A new tool that makes delicate procedures easier for surgeons is being jointly developed by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Insightra Medical from the United States.
Called Ree-Trakt, the tool enables surgeons to gently retract and secure soft tissue during operation.
It is also designed to minimise trauma and lower the risk of infection.
Experts said current retraction devices are often bulky and involve metal arms that hold open surgical wounds.
This could damage wound edges and expose wounds to electro-surgery burns.
They added that the size of current tools also tend to hinder visibility in surgeries.
Global market potential for such retractors is an estimated US$2.5 billion and Ree-Trakt's makers hope to reach some US$180 million in sales.
Ree-Trakt is the first biomedical device developed and patented by NTU to be released for sale in the US.
It is the collaborative effort of Professor Freddy Boey, Professor Ma Jan and Professor Erwin Wouterson from NTU's School of Materials Science and Engineering, as well as Insightra Medical's engineering team.
- CNA/so
source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...306255/1/.html
