Steerable instruments to apply surgical clips

Low-resource countries require surgery just as much as any other part of the world, but face several extra changes when trying to do this in the right way. Hospitals work with different standards, training is difficult to acquire and costs are often too high for the general population. In turn, procedures are done at a less-than-optimal level, resulting in complications, infections and long recoveries. Laparoscopic techniques versus open surgery has been seen beneficial in these countries, but the exercise of laparoscopy has been dependent on donation of instruments and training from abroad. As a result, instruments are often used different from how they are meant and patched where they are incomplete. Though switching to this type of approach is supposed to improve outcomes, it bring several extra challenges to overcome.

The SATA steerable clip-applier is the first in a series of laparoscopic instruments aimed at low-resource countries. The clip-applier is a key instrument in, for example, removal of the appendix, in minimally invasive surgery. Key in these instruments is that they remain low-cost and easy to use within the low-resource settings, while they still improve general outcome of surgeries done. This requires high functionality done in a smart way. Part of the SATA steerable mechanism applied to this design is the intuitive use around the orientation of the instrument. Secondly, the mechanism allows for complete dis-attachment and disassembly for easy cleaning and sterilization, making it a re-usable instrument adapted to low-cost use. This is meant to be the first step in making laparoscopic instruments more available for low-resource countries and improving outcomes for both the patient and the surgeon.