The new Epionerobotic guidancesystemis the latest technology whichenables preciseminimally invasiveCT-guided ablation of tumours through robot-assistance. Thissystemallowsclinicians to accurately locate and destroy cancerous tissue without the need for traditional surgery.
Clinical teams use Epione’s robotic arm to carefullyplace needleswhich destroytumoursby freezing or burning. This offers patients an effective treatment with fewer risks and shorter recovery times.
Dr James Lenton,Vascular & Interventional Oncology Radiology Consultant whose teams are usingEpione said:“At LTH we have an excellentrecord of offering innovationsthatimprove treatments for patients.TheEpionerobotic systemoffers us the ability toeffectively treat our cancer patients without the disruption that comes with surgeryand significantly improve their experience.”
“The systemfacilitatesminimally invasive treatment whichsupports shorter hospital stays, reduces disruption to patients’ wellbeing, and allows the Trust to manage more cases.
The system will allow us to expand the number of patients who are suitable for ablation and shorten procedure times.”
ĢtvƵ Teaching Hospitalshas already treated 20 patients with the innovation. One patient to benefit from this wasPaul Woodwards, 67from ĢtvƵ.
MrWoodwardsrecentlyunderwentthe procedureto treatliver cancer.The tumour in his liver was broken downusing therobot-guidedprocedureand he was able to be homewithin fourdayswithminimal discomfort.He will now be monitored for up to 10 years to see if the cancer has been successfully treated.
“I feel verylucky tohavebeenoffered thisprocedure. It wasbrillianttobe at the forefrontof such acutting-edge treatment. Iwashappy to be ableto come home and recover withinsucha short space of timewithout needing to have a long hospitalstay.”
“The staff have been absolutely wonderful, everymemberof the teamhaslookedafter me, checking up on me and reassuring methrough my recoveryafterwards. I am hopeful thatotherpatients and families facing a cancer diagnosis will be able tobenefit fromthis technology and to havemoreaccurate treatmentsin the future.”
Epione was developed and provided by Quantum Surgical, a company specialising in robotics and AI based in Miami, Florida, and Montpellier, France.
TheLTHclinicalteam is investigating expandingEpione’suse to treat pancreatic and lung cancers in the future.Thisis the latestmodern treatmentadopted by LTH,whichhasledoninnovationin this type of minimally invasive procedure.The Interventional Radiology team previously implementedhistotripsy treatment using the Edison system by HistoSonicsas part of the global-first CAIN trial, usingnon-invasive ultrasound to eradicate tumours.
The Trust recently unveiled its newResearch and Innovation Strategywhich cemented itsposition as a centre of excellence for research and innovation, andlays out the Trust’saimtomeet thegoals ofthe government’sNHS10 Year Health Plan forEngland.
Treatments like the Epione-guided procedureare helping LTH meet thegovernment’stargets to harness thelatest medicaltechnologytoreduce waiting timesand get patients home sooner.