World's most experienced robotic surgeon to consult on neurosurgical
robot
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Global intraoperative imaging
company IMRIS Inc. (NASDAQ: IMRS; TSX: IM) ("IMRIS" or the "Company")
today announced that Vipul Patel, M.D., of Florida Hospital Celebration
Health, has joined the SYMBIS™ Surgical System Advisory Board. Dr.
Patel is the internationally recognized leader in the field of robotic
surgery, with experience performing over 6,000 robotic prostatectomies.
"Dr. Patel brings to the SYMBIS Advisory Board a wealth of experience in
terms of surgeon training and the integration of robotics into the
operating room," IMRIS CEO Jay D. Miller said. "As we develop our
training plans and work our way through the regulatory process, we look
forward to Dr. Patel's contributions as a surgeon who has performed
more robotic surgery than anyone else in the world."
"Robotics combined with intraoperative imaging will continue to
transform minimally invasive surgery," Dr. Patel said. "High-field
intraoperative imaging allows surgeons to identify tumors beyond what
can be seen with the naked eye and helps surgeons avoid damage to vital
nerves and vessels." The SYMBIS Surgical System will be the world's
first MRI-compatible robot, allowing the integration of imaging with
surgical robotics.
Dr. Patel is currently the medical director of the Global Robotics
Institute and the urologic oncology program for the Florida Hospital
Cancer Institute. As Editor Emeritus and Founding Editor of the Journal
of Robotic Surgery, Dr. Patel also brings a significant amount of
insight to the SYMBIS Advisory Board in terms of robotic surgery
research, procedure development and continuing education. Although Dr.
Patel's specialty is urology, there are many aspects of robotic surgery
that transfer across surgical specialties.
The SYMBIS Advisory Board, established in May, provides guidance in the
clinical study and surgeon training on the SYMBIS Surgical System. Dr.
Patel joins three other board members: Garnette Sutherland, M.D.,
FRCS(C) of Foothills Medical Center at the University of Calgary,
Calgary, Alberta; David Roberts, M.D., FAANS, of the Geisel School of
Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover and Lebanon, NH; and Melvin Field, M.D.,
of Orlando Neurosurgery in Winter Park, and Florida Hospital in
Orlando, FL.
The SYMBIS Surgical System is currently under development and not
available for sale.
About IMRIS
IMRIS (NASDAQ: IMRS; TSX: IM) is a global leader in providing image
guided therapy solutions through its VISIUS Surgical Theatre - a
revolutionary, multifunctional surgical environment that provides
unmatched intraoperative vision to clinicians to assist in decision
making and enhance precision in treatment. The multi-room suites
incorporate diagnostic quality high-field MR, CT and angio modalities
accessed effortlessly in the operating room setting. VISIUS Surgical
Theatres serve the neurosurgical, spinal, cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular markets and have been selected by 54 leading medical
institutions around the world.
SOURCE IMRIS Inc.
Image with caption: "Dr. Vipul Patel of Florida Hospital Celebration Health. Photo credit: Florida Hospital Celebration Health. (CNW Group/IMRIS Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130919_C8744_PHOTO_EN_31063.jpg