Larger stones in the kidney and proximal ureter need to be treated with PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy), a minimally invasive urology procedure intended to remove them. It is today a very effective procedure, as it can be operated via a relatively small opening with a reduced time of hospitalization. There is also a version of it called mini-PCNL, a tubeless procedure with an even smaller port of entry, while maintaining a similar rate of efficacy. More surgeons would be able to perform PCNL if the access part were made simpler. That is one of the most challenging parts: it starts at the ..read more

OCT images are frequently used to demonstrate the retina and understand the different pathologies and decide the diagnostics and help with procedure planning. In medical imaging, especially in radiology, deep learning has been used in recent years to gain super-resolution. On one hand, it is possible to scan faster and more efficiently at lower resolutions. On the other hand, quality scans provide added benefits. Super-resolution is a class of techniques in image processing that enhance the resolution of an imaging system, making images sharper and clearer. By improving the quality of OCT imag ..read more

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in men, affecting about 1 in 8 men during their lifetime. Often, patients will have an MRI scan as part of regular screening. MRI images identify regions and details such as the prostate boundary, zones and tumors, which radiologists use to calculate the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score. The PI-RADS score ranges from 1 to 5 (low to high probability of clinically significant cancer) and provides the basis for diagnosis and treatment. Patients with a PI-RADS score of 3 or more usually undergo a prostate biopsy to detec ..read more

Surgical video analysis involves using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to analyze surgical video footage. This practice, which includes both intraoperative and postoperative video analysis, has numerous benefits for patients, for surgeons and for other medical professionals as well. We spoke with Asher Patinkin, one of the most knowledgeable experts in this field at RSIP Vision. He provided a full review of the most advanced AI and Computer Vision algorithms that can be used for surgical video analysis. Depending on the specific requirements, Deep Learning algorithms ..read more

3D models of joints and bones are widely used for a large variety of orthopedic clinical purposes including preoperative planning, patient specific implant design, jig printing, intraoperative navigation and other clinical purposes for which precise and detailed anatomy is required. An example of such a procedure for which a 3D model of joints is required is Arthroplasty. Arthroplasty, one of the most common procedures in the US with more than 1 million procedures performed annually, is an orthopedic surgical procedure that aims to restore functionality and relieve pain by a full or partial re ..read more

Approximately one million prostate biopsies are performed each year in the United States to diagnose and monitor prostate cancer. Doctors commonly use transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) to generate real-time images of the prostate to help guide the biopsy. To mitigate the risk of missing a lesion, physicians usually carry out multiple collections from the gland. Nonetheless, there is a risk that some tumors may go undetected. Therefore, it is common practice for the patient to have a pre-op MRI scan, which generates a more detailed image of the prostate. This provides the physician with a more accu ..read more

Most of the tissue handled by the surgeon (or by a robotic hand) during brain surgeries is flexible: With the obvious exception of bone, which is rigid, all the structures touched during the surgery change shape and place. For instance, by changing the force applied to the brain, like when the skull is opened, the pressure on the brain changes and, as a consequence, its shape changes too. It is key for the surgeon to know where each point has moved to: if the tumor that needs to be treated was in one place, where is it now? This is a very important challenge that needs to be solved by the sur ..read more

During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons are limited in their field of view, which restricts their observation of the patient’s full anatomy. This may lead to suboptimal surgical outcomes or even errors. For example, in a tumor excision procedure, healthy tissue may be injured, or worse, the surgeon may fail to optimally remove the lesion. Surgeons base the procedure on pre-op images of the area such as CT scans, which provide a snapshot of the internal tissue. Navigation systems are then utilized to fit the scan to the coordinate system of the operating theatre, to inform the surgeon of ..read more

The use by the surgical community of single-port as a surgical approach is increasing in frequency. A port is the entrance gate of the tools into the patient’s body during a surgery. Currently, most laparoscopies require multiple ports for the camera and tools, whereas single-port approach utilizes one port for all the tools and the camera. The main benefits of this approach are that it offers similar results to multi-port approach while allowing for faster healing, less pain for the patient, and better cosmetic outcomes. Technically, single-port is challenging as it requires to maneuver all t ..read more

This next generation robotic surgery innovation utilizes AI-based visual intelligence to provide vital information that is overlaid and presented on the video feed in real-time during surgery  Jerusalem, Israel, Jan 26, 2023 – Today, RSIP Neph (part of the RSIP Vision group) announced its new innovative intra-op solution that utilizes advanced Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence algorithms, to enhance the next generation of robotic surgery. This solution has been under development with the largest urology department in Israel and it will assist surgeons during the surgery itself ..read more