Luna Innovations recently declared that following its commercial agreement with Intuitive Surgical, its development initiative will be extended through 2012. This partnership will enable the development of Intuitive’s medical robotic products being incorporated with the shape and position sensing technology of Luna.
In June 2007, a multi-year development and supply agreement was established between both the companies. As per this continued extension agreement, Luna will deliver its fiber-optic based position tracking and shape sensing system to Intuitive, authorized for use in its products. Through this extension, Intuitive Surgical is establishing its significance in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery and Luna has improved its shape sensing technology, which will continue through 2012.
Luna’s Chief Executive Officer, My Chung says that this new agreement with Intuitive Surgical will enable Luna to establish its position in the medical robotics market. In addition, it will also promote Luna’s commitment in developing and upgrading technologies towards revolutionizing healthcare. Luna and Intuitive, with the help of this partnership, will make efforts to enable surgeons to have a more precise and efficient control over surgical tools during robotically-assisted surgical procedures.
The shape sensing system of Luna is capable of mapping the position of an optical fiber across its entire length. It provides real-time measurements, through which surgeons can have better control over the patient’s anatomy. Using the thin optical fibers, the medical instruments can be moved inside the patient’s body, thereby effectively assisting minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Source: http://www.lunainnovations.com/