® PATENT

摘要

'Helix Flex could make many new surgical techniques possible in the future', states Prof Paul Breedveld, of the Bio-mechanical Engineering department in the 3mE faculty. A perfect working prototype of the super-flexible instrument has been constructed. During an operation (particularly keyhole surgery), the snake-like motions of Helix Flex will make it possible to reach deeper into the body to access areas surrounded by 'delicate anatomy' (e.g. the brain). The instrument is able to rotate and move in various directions. 'It can be controlled by the head, as well as by the part behind the head. This allows it to follow a precise anatomic path'. In this way, surgeons will be able to reach parts of tumours that would be impossible to remove with the current, rigid instruments.