Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EHS (Thermo-adjustable endoscope heater system to solve problems of fogging during surgical interventions)
Reporting period: 2019-08-01 to 2020-01-31
Maintenance of optimal vision during minimally invasive surgery is crucial to maintaining operative awareness, efficiency and safety. Hampered vision is commonly caused by laparoscopic lens fogging (LLF) which has prompted the development of various anti-fogging fluids and warming devices. Numerous tricks have been proposed to overcome this issue, such as heating the scope into a sterile thermos flask filled with hot water, or using one of the commercially available antifogging solutions. However, whether one method is superior to another remains elusive. As most surgeons know, none of these tips are totally efficient, as they don’t treat the cause: the temperature difference. Taking into account this need, Noruco has developed EHS, a thermo-adjustable system by microcontroller, which is implemented in the manufacturing process of the rigid endoscope focused on laparoscopy. The technology enables the selfmodulation of the temperature of the endoscope within the different conditions during the surgery, avoiding the 100% of laparoscopic fogging.
The objectives of the Noruco EHS project are focused on defining the technological, commercial and financial tasks to improve the product’s performance from a technical perspective as well as ensuring that the platform meets and exceeds the basic requirements for adoption by surgeons.
The objectives of the Noruco EHS project are focused on defining the technological, commercial and financial tasks to improve the product’s performance from a technical perspective as well as ensuring that the platform meets and exceeds the basic requirements for adoption by surgeons.
During the Feasibility Study, an in depth study of the market was made to determine further market needs and the best go to market strategy. We also analysed the technical aspects to complete the final design the EHS achieve full functionality, and to reach commercialization after CE-Mark approval and validation through patients with clinical trials. Lastly, we developed a technical and financial work plan to reach TRL 9 as well as definition of the full supply chain, definition of the business model and commercialisation strategy. A risks and market analysis was also made
With the adoption of EHS surgeons get a clear field of vision avoiding continues repetitions of extraction and insertion of the endoscope in the body during the intervention. In this way the risks of the patients are reduced with a more efficient and shorter duration procedure. EHS also represents an alternative that meets sustainability criteria by reducing energy costs and eliminating much of the waste currently generated by this procedure. This innovation will enhance safety and effectiveness without introducing new components that could complicate surgical procedures