Translational Surgery

Scientific exploration at work

Translation surgery

Bridging Scientific Discovery and Clinical Application

 

Translational surgery is a dedicated field within translational research that focuses on transforming scientific discoveries into clinical solutions. By applying fundamental research to the development of new surgical techniques, technologies, and treatment strategies, translational surgery plays a critical role in improving surgical outcomes and patient care. It serves as a vital bridge between laboratory innovation and real-world clinical practice, ensuring that advances in science lead to tangible benefits in the operating room.

CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATIONAL SURGERY

A critical factor in increasing innovativeness and quality of care will be how quickly new technologies and innovations can be translated into education and patient care. For such translation to be effective and successful, research must be conducted as early as possible in the field. However, easy access to the real-life operating room is extremely difficult due to the high demands on patient safety and regulations.

Closing the gap

The OR-X closes the domain gap between the laboratory and the application in the field - the real operating room. Research and development can take place in a real surgical environment but without the regulatory and technical hurdles of a real operating room. A large part of the learning curve of surgeons can take place in the OR-X and thus outside of patient care and the operating room.

Addressing tomorrow's challenges

Digitization as part of technological transformation will have a sustainable impact on the development of the healthcare sector over the coming years. In fact, technology will be the most important lever for advancing treatment quality while limiting the cost explosion, thereby addressing the major global healthcare challenges posed by an ageing society.

The OR-X tackles the key determining factors of digitalization in surgery:

  • The automatic collection of surgery-related data, 
  • The application of data-driven methods to extract treatment-relevant information,
  • The improvement of surgical treatments through human-enhancing technologies such as AI, robotics and Augmented Reality.

Robotic Research in the lab

Robotic Research in the lab

How can robotic research in the lab be succesfully translated to the real surgery? The journey from laboratory-based robotic research to its seamless integration into real surgical settings is an intricate process that demands strategic planning, rigorous testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This complex translation process was exemplified by the FAROS project, which demonstrated how cutting-edge robotic innovations can be developed, tested, and brought closer to clinical application through structured translational research.

 

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