Misonix BoneScalpel featured in SkyNews, UK

News clip from health correspondant Thomas Moore for SkyNews in the UK.
Dr Evan Davies from Spire Hospital in Southampton, UK, comments about using the BoneScalpel for a laminectomy prior to removing a spinal tumor.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/Ultrasonic-Scalpel-BoneScalpel-Tr...

Cutting-Edge: Sonic Scalpel Makes Surgery Safer

A new scalpel that harnesses the power of sound is making complex bone surgery far safer.

The ultrasonic scalpel vibrates 22,500 times a second, which allows it to ram through bone like a jackhammer.

But it bounces off soft flesh, leaving blood vessels, nerves and other delicate tissues undamaged.

It is so precise it can cut a window in an eggshell while leaving intact the thin membrane that surrounds the egg white.

Sky News saw the BoneScalpel being used on Peter Withinshaw, who had a tumour pressing on his spinal cord.

The tumour was causing massive pain, and could have paralysed him if it hadn't been removed.

Surgeons use the scalpel to cut through bone, making surgery safer

Surgeon Mr Evan Davies of Southampton's Spire Hospital used the scalpel to slice through the backbone and expose the tumour.

Normally drills, saws and chisels would be used, with a high risk of a paralysing injury to the spinal cord.

"Because we'd have been using high-speed tools near the nerves there would have been the risk of damaging the nerves," he said.

"The nice thing about the scalpel is that it is a lot safer technique near delicate structures.

"And that's why we like it for this sort of operation."

Peter Withinshaw says he is looking forward to doing the gardening

Mr Davies is one of the first British surgeons to test the device.

He said it made operations quicker, and reduced blood loss to almost zero.

Mr Withinshaw had been taking massive doses of morphine, but even they failed to dull the pain from his crushed spinal cord.

After the operation he told Sky News: "I am looking forward to getting back to normal - walking the dog, doing the gardening, and so on."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/Ultrasonic-Scalpel-BoneScalpel-Tr...

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• BoneScalpel
• SkyNews
• Misonix
• Ultrasonic
• OsteoSurgery
• Blade
• Davies
• Southamton's
• Spine
• Hospital
• UK