Imagine removing a tumor deep in someone’s brain without ever cutting open their skull. Imagination a treatment for fibroids that instead of requiring weeks of recuperation allows the patient to return to her normal activities the next day. You don’t have to imagine these things because thanks to the ExBlate system manufactured by an Israeli company called InSightec they are a reality.

The system uses a combination of MRI and ultrasound technology to locate the target tissue and ablate it. MR thermometry allows the physician to control and adjust the treatment in real time to ensure that the targeted tissue is treated and surrounding non targeted tissue is spared. The use of this painless procedure reduces hospitalization days, cuts down on side effects and allows for precise removal of target tissue.

So far it has already been approved for fibroids and for bone metasteses and work is now in progress to get clearance for use in removing brain tumors.

The following clip shows the system in action:

I think we can all agree that, although it is very important for early cancer detection, the colonoscopy is not the most pleasant medical procedure. However, in addition to being unpleasant, the current procedure has a number of drawbacks:

• The colonoscope can spread diseases between patients if it is not properly disinfected between patients.
• The colonoscopy procedure requires a lengthy learning curve
• If performed improperly the procedure can result in patient injury
• There is a danger of missing pathologies

GI View (Ramat Gan, Israel) developped the Aer-O-Scope to meet these challenges. The device is disposable and using proprietary tecnology provides a 360 degree view of the view.

The Aer-O-Scope is easily controlled by a joystick and moves inside the colon by gentle pressure and by controlling the pressure of inflatable balloons, thereby greatly reducing the risks of injuries inflicted by the colonoscope. It is CE marked and has received 510(k) clearance.

The following clip shows exactly how the Aer-O-Scope works: