Research Type:

Minimally Invasive Surgery
Pancreatic
Gastrointestinal Epithelial Biology
Clinical Effectiveness
Clinical Research

The Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at CIMIT

Principal Investigator:
David W. Rattner, M.D.

Group Members:
Warren Sandberg, MD
Julian Goldman, MD
Chistopher Thompson, MD
William Brugge, MD

The Center for Innovative Minimally Invasive Therapy (CIMIT) has multiple programs crossing the surgical disciplines. Within General Surgery, the primary focus areas are computer-assisted surgery and designing the operating environment for the future.

Computer Assisted Surgery:
In conjunction with the Harvard Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Surgical Planning Laboratory, we are developing methods to co-register laparoscopic ultrasound with preoperatively obtained imaging data. This work is essential to perform image guidance minimally invasive procedures in the future.

OR of the Future:
In conjunction with the School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at MIT, we are exploring the use of new information technology to create a local area network which is wireless and will incorporate remote sensing devices. Additional projects related to the operating room of the future are outcomes data evaluation on patient processes and medical errors, the use of data mining algorithms to identify potentially risky situations, and the use of radiofrequency identification tagging for both instruments and personnel.

Outcomes Research:
In conjunction with the MGH Data group, we have recently concluded large population based studies on the natural history of both inguinal hernia and paraesophageal hernia. Future efforts are ongoing to extract data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) as well as other recently available databases and look at problems such as optimal treatment for liver metastases and Barrett's esophagus.

Surgical Simulation:
In conjunction with the CIMIT Simulation Group, we have developed methodology to track a surgeon's movements in performing complex procedures. This simulation tool is being validated and will provide feedback to surgeons as they learn specific laparoscopic tasks. This level of detailed feedback is unique and ultimately will be used to design the Haptic interface of surgical simulators for the future.

For further information, please visit the CIMIT web site at www.cimit.org