Surgical innovation: the intelligent turbine insufflator is here

Milan, 24^th October 2024 – The Politecnico di Milano and the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam pooled their medical and technical expertise to create a new technology for devices called ‘insufflators’. These innovative instruments are designed to create a temporary cavity in the bodies of patients through the application of pressurised gas, providing the surgeon with the necessary space to perform the surgical procedure from inside the body, and limiting the need for large incisions in the abdomen and chest.

Current insufflator technology has some limitations, such as with regard to the application of pressure that does not take into account the specific characteristics of the patient's tissues and breathing. The new concept of intelligent turbine insufflation, developed and patented by the Politecnico di Milano and the Erasmus Medical Centre, aims to overcome these limitations. The new technology continuously adapts the insufflation pressure to the condition and breathing of the patient, improving operating conditions for the surgeon and outcomes for the patient.

Recently, the Erasmus Medical Centre and the Politecnico di Milano formed a public-private partnership with the spin-off Spatium Medical and the Australian design company IDE Group to develop and industrialise this and other technologies, and to launch the first clinical trial of the new insufflator. This important milestone was achieved with the first evaluation of a patient during surgery at the Erasmus Medical Centre. The study marks the introduction of the new insufflation technology into clinical practice.

The Politecnico di Milano played a crucial role in the development of the new approach, producing the first prototypes and control algorithms for the system.

“We are very proud to have developed this innovative intelligent insufflation technology,” said Raffaele Dellaca', Professor at the Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano. “This project is an excellent example of how collaboration between academic institutions and industrial partners can lead to significant advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery, improving both operating techniques and patient outcomes.”

Milan, 24^th October 2024 – The Politecnico di Milano and the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam pooled their medical and technical expertise to create a new technology for devices called ‘insufflators’. These innovative instruments are designed to create a temporary cavity in the bodies of patients through the application of pressurised gas, providing the surgeon with the necessary space to perform the surgical procedure from inside the body, and limiting the need for large incisions in the abdomen and chest.

Current insufflator technology has some limitations, such as with regard to the application of pressure that does not take into account the specific characteristics of the patient's tissues and breathing. The new concept of intelligent turbine insufflation, developed and patented by the Politecnico di Milano and the Erasmus Medical Centre, aims to overcome these limitations. The new technology continuously adapts the insufflation pressure to the condition and breathing of the patient, improving operating conditions for the surgeon and outcomes for the patient.

Recently, the Erasmus Medical Centre and the Politecnico di Milano formed a public-private partnership with the spin-off Spatium Medical and the Australian design company IDE Group to develop and industrialise this and other technologies, and to launch the first clinical trial of the new insufflator. This important milestone was achieved with the first evaluation of a patient during surgery at the Erasmus Medical Centre. The study marks the introduction of the new insufflation technology into clinical practice.

The Politecnico di Milano played a crucial role in the development of the new approach, producing the first prototypes and control algorithms for the system.

“We are very proud to have developed this innovative intelligent insufflation technology,” said Raffaele Dellaca', Professor at the Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano. “This project is an excellent example of how collaboration between academic institutions and industrial partners can lead to significant advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery, improving both operating techniques and patient outcomes.”