CSTAR announces collaboration with Boston Scientific to test new minimally invasive technology

(LONDON, Ontario) - Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics, a program of London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, was pleased to recently support Boston Scientific to test a new minimally invasive surgical technology. For this program, Boston Scientific brought eight key opinion leaders from academic health centres across Canada to CSTAR to garner expert feedback regarding use of its new surgical product. The program was led by internationally recognized surgeons from Milwaukee and St. Joseph’s Health Care, also in London, Ontario, and included interactive presentations, live surgeries and hands on simulation labs in which the invited surgeons applied newly acquired surgical skills. Chris Luc, Territory Manager with Boston Scientific said, “We chose to collaborate with CSTAR based on their ability to host a world class event that includes live surgeries, surgical skills simulation and interactive multimedia presentations. Normally, our first instinct in running a program like this is to bring the participants down to the States to a well known and proven facility. However, after participating in CSTAR’s Industry Roundtable meetings, it became clear to us that CSTAR and London have the state-of-the-art facilities and expertise we need to successfully test this new technology.” John Parker, Director of CSTAR, explains CSTAR’s role in contributing to improved patient care as “narrowing the gap between those who generate new knowledge and those who use it.” In this translational research role, CSTAR enables efficient transition of new knowledge and technologies into clinical practice through its three core competencies of research, health technology assessment, and education. “Narrowing this gap enables medical and health care students, working health care professionals and the medical device industry to efficiently implement and apply new minimally invasive surgery technologies into clinical practice to the benefit of patient care”, says Parker. In addition to developing innovative minimally invasive surgical technologies and treatments, CSTAR supports the research, assessment and education activities of the medical device industry providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ to these much sought-after services. For Boston Scientific and Chris Luc, this meant access to world-class medical device assessment and education facilities offered through CSTAR. CSTAR’s semi-annual Industry Roundtable meetings, which began in 2007, involve participation of 22 international medical device and IT companies in addition to Federal, Provincial and Municipal government representation. The Roundtable provides a unique venue to identify horizon opportunities of mutual interest and benefit as they relate to research, validation and education involving minimally invasive surgical technologies and improved patient care. About CSTAR: CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics) is Canada’s national centre for developing and testing the next generation of minimally invasive surgical and interventional technologies and techniques, including robotics. CSTAR trains the surgeons of the future and shares expertise around the world. Building on world and national firsts pioneered by surgeons in London, CSTAR was launched in December 2001. CSTAR is a collaborative research program of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson), The University of Western Ontario (Western) and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London (St. Joseph’s). CSTAR is one of the first interdisciplinary research and training facilities in the world to bring together practitioners, students, and researchers in surgery, engineering, imaging, robotics, information technology and business. Project teams have attracted $20.4 million through peer-reviewed grants and the private sector to fund discoveries in many areas of medicine, from robotic fetal procedures to cancer therapy. Visit CSTAR today at www.c-star.ca For more information contact: Sarah Corrigan Corporate Communications and Public Relations London Health Sciences Centre 519-685-8500, ext. 77062 Sarah.corrigan@lhsc.on.ca After-hours assistance: Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call Visit the LHSC Media web site at www.lhsc.on.ca/media