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Intelligent knife tested on cancer patients in London hospitals Intelligent knife tested on cancer patients in London hospitals
(2 months later)
An intelligent knife that knows when it is cutting through cancerous tissue is being tested in three London hospitals.An intelligent knife that knows when it is cutting through cancerous tissue is being tested in three London hospitals.
Experts believe the wand-like device, the first of its kind in the world, will revolutionise cancer treatment by removing uncertainty from surgery. In an early study, the iKnife identified malignant tissue in cancer patients having operations with 100% accuracy.Experts believe the wand-like device, the first of its kind in the world, will revolutionise cancer treatment by removing uncertainty from surgery. In an early study, the iKnife identified malignant tissue in cancer patients having operations with 100% accuracy.
After more extensive trials it could be approved for general use in operating theatres within three years. Surgery is often the best hope of a cancer cure, yet even the best surgeons cannot be sure of removing every part of a tumour.After more extensive trials it could be approved for general use in operating theatres within three years. Surgery is often the best hope of a cancer cure, yet even the best surgeons cannot be sure of removing every part of a tumour.
In the case of breast cancer, more than 20% of the cancerous tissue may be left behind. This can result in a recurrence of disease, or patients having to undergo repeated operations.In the case of breast cancer, more than 20% of the cancerous tissue may be left behind. This can result in a recurrence of disease, or patients having to undergo repeated operations.
The iKnife helps the surgeon by indicating exactly where the cancerous tissue is, and when it has all been removed.The iKnife helps the surgeon by indicating exactly where the cancerous tissue is, and when it has all been removed.
It could allow surgeons to perform riskier operations, and also has the ability to reveal the original site of a cancer that has spread. As well as potentially improving cancer survival, the device could save thousands of pounds per patient by cutting the cost of lab tests and follow-up operations.It could allow surgeons to perform riskier operations, and also has the ability to reveal the original site of a cancer that has spread. As well as potentially improving cancer survival, the device could save thousands of pounds per patient by cutting the cost of lab tests and follow-up operations.
The device is a hi-tech form of "electric scalpel", a tool routinely used by surgeons that uses electricity to sear through membranes and internal organs. As the knife cuts, smoke from the burned tissue is pumped through a tube into a mass spectrometer, a machine that uses magnetism to produce a chemical fingerprint of the atoms fed into it.The device is a hi-tech form of "electric scalpel", a tool routinely used by surgeons that uses electricity to sear through membranes and internal organs. As the knife cuts, smoke from the burned tissue is pumped through a tube into a mass spectrometer, a machine that uses magnetism to produce a chemical fingerprint of the atoms fed into it.
The customised version being tested at St Mary's, Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals in London employs a user-friendly "traffic light" display. Red indicates cancer and green healthy tissue, while yellow shows that a region is still unidentified. More detailed information can also be obtained.The customised version being tested at St Mary's, Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals in London employs a user-friendly "traffic light" display. Red indicates cancer and green healthy tissue, while yellow shows that a region is still unidentified. More detailed information can also be obtained.
Using the iKnife, an operating surgeon can learn almost instantly if a suspicious growth is cancerous or benign. Under normal circumstances, a tissue sample has to be sent away for analysis in the hospital's laboratories, which can still take up to half an hour.Using the iKnife, an operating surgeon can learn almost instantly if a suspicious growth is cancerous or benign. Under normal circumstances, a tissue sample has to be sent away for analysis in the hospital's laboratories, which can still take up to half an hour.
The iKnife's inventor, Dr Zoltan Takats, from Imperial College London, said the device could allow surgeons to carry out operations that might normally be considered too risky.The iKnife's inventor, Dr Zoltan Takats, from Imperial College London, said the device could allow surgeons to carry out operations that might normally be considered too risky.
"In principle, this approach could push the line of what is operable a little bit further down the road," he said."In principle, this approach could push the line of what is operable a little bit further down the road," he said.
"Such cases that today are just opened and closed back up may now fall into the operable category."Such cases that today are just opened and closed back up may now fall into the operable category.
"Often the problem is if there is an invasive but still localised tumour, no-one has the courage to really go after it.""Often the problem is if there is an invasive but still localised tumour, no-one has the courage to really go after it."
Another advantage of the iKnife is its ability to trace a tumour's origins – something that is not always easy to do with a spreading cancer.Another advantage of the iKnife is its ability to trace a tumour's origins – something that is not always easy to do with a spreading cancer.
At a demonstration of the device for journalists at St Mary's Hospital, the iKnife was used to slice through lumps of pork meat, generating sparks and noxious smoke.At a demonstration of the device for journalists at St Mary's Hospital, the iKnife was used to slice through lumps of pork meat, generating sparks and noxious smoke.
Modified versions of the iKnife could have a number of other non-medical applications, including food testing.Modified versions of the iKnife could have a number of other non-medical applications, including food testing.
"We've already shown that it can distinguish between horse meat and beef, and it works on cooked as well as raw meat," Takats said."We've already shown that it can distinguish between horse meat and beef, and it works on cooked as well as raw meat," Takats said.
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