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A new vascular clamp for robotic partial nephrectomy

Project Overview

Due to new imaging methods over the past few decades, there has been an increase in carcinoma detection in the kidneys resulting in an overall increase in nephrectomy surgeries. Recently, surgeons are performing more partial nephrectomy surgeries versus radical nephrectomy surgeries in order spare any viable and functioning tissue. In addition, these surgeons are switching over from open surgeries to laparoscopic surgeries in order to decrease post-op complications. However, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is a technically challenging procedure with a steep learning curve. There is an unmet need to make the procedure less technically demanding for surgeons. Our client, a LPN surgeon, would like us to develop a device that can occlude blood flow in the kidney at the site of the partial nephrectomy, in efforts to simplify the procedure. The device should clamp across the kidney in order to occlude renal blood flow to only the tumor section resulting in less complications during the surgery as well as a reduced chance of global ischemia in the kidney after the procedure is completed.

Team Picture

From Left to Right: Shannon, Kayla, Jeff, Karin
From Left to Right: Shannon, Kayla, Jeff, Karin

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • Shannon Hynes - Team Leader
  • Jeffrey Hlinka - Communicator
  • Karin Rasmussen - BSAC
  • Kayla Stankevitz - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Mitchell Tyler - Advisor
  • Dr. Jason Abel - Client

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