Ethicon to support minimally invasive surgery research

A request for proposals for research into minimally invasive surgery such as Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (Notes) has been made.

The Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (Noscar), comprising of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (Sages), is pledging $1 million (537,234 pounds) made available by Ethicon Endo-Surgery to fund the research.

Noscar suggests that Notes may provide the next advancement in minimally invasive therapies. Previously complex surgical procedures, such as gastric bypasses, can now be completed by significantly less invasive means due to “refinements” in laparoscopic surgery.

Kevin Lobo, president of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, comments: “As Ethicon Endo-Surgery moves into new and different procedures with new technology, we believe funding the responsible, effective and safe development, effective and safe development of this new modality may lead to important surgical innovations.”

New developments in the treatment of conditions in the gut lumen and the peritoneal cavity are expected to eventually mean that certain surgeries could be performed without skin incisions.

Noscar, which was formed in 2005, met in Arizona in March this year to identify critical areas for further development and research into Notes.

Research proposals must be submitted electronically by December 1st.