An innovative surgical technology set to revolutionise minimally invasive procedures has been given the green light in the US.
Wayne State University and RediMinds Inc. of Southfield, Michigan, have been granted a new patent for a system that manages intraoperative bleeding, a common and serious complication in minimally invasive surgery that can adversely affect surgical outcomes.
The research was spearheaded by Professor Abhilash K. Pandya from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
The management of surgical bleeding remains a major challenge in both robotic and laparoscopic procedures.
Excessive bleeding can obscure the surgical view – ‘red out’ – leading to poor patient outcomes and even mortality.
This newly patented system is designed to help surgeons detect and visualise arterial bleeding in real time during operations.
It utilises a surgical camera equipped with computer vision and machine learning algorithms to identify and locate sources of bleeding.
These are then displayed to the surgeon via augmented reality overlays, enabling precise and rapid control.
The technology is intended as an add-on to existing robotic and laparoscopic surgical systems.
Professor Pandya said: ‘This patent represents a major step forward in AI-assisted robotic surgery. As artificial intelligence matures, it will act as a vigilant partner, monitoring bleeding, patient status, and surgeon fatigue, providing timely alerts and proactive support to improve safety.’
Benefits of this technology include better patient outcomes, reduced need for transfusions, shorter hospital stays, and lower infection rates and treatment costs. It also advances the development of intelligent surgical safety tools.
Dean Ali Abolmaali of the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering said he believed this patent exemplifies the innovative research being conducted in college.
‘Dr Pandya and his collaborators have combined expertise in artificial intelligence, computer vision and medical technology to address a critical challenge in modern surgery. Innovations like this demonstrate how engineering research can improve patient outcomes, advance health care and create technologies with the potential to benefit people around the world,’ he added.
Taunya Phillips, assistant vice president for technology commercialisation at Wayne State, said: ‘By securing this intellectual property, we ensure that our research creates real-world societal and economic benefits. I look forward to our continued work with Dr Pandya, and the impact this technology will have on the important work of surgeons in Michigan and beyond.’
