A doctoral candidate in mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has designed a robotic alternative to the traditional colonoscope that physicians use when searching for pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps that can line the large intestine. According to the developer, Hossein Dehghani, he robot could help make the colonoscopy a painless and less costly procedure.

“Imagine a robot that deforms itself instead of deforming the colon,” said Dehghani, who designed the prototype as part of his dissertation. “That would decrease the pain significantly.”

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a new drug target for bowel cancer that is specific to tumour cells and therefore less toxic than conventional therapies. Most bowel cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene called APC that in its healthy form acts to prevent cancer formation. Mutated APC genes cause excess activity of a cell signalling pathway called 'Wnt', which has been associated with bowel cancer for over 20 years.

An experimental device that employs a pair of magnets offers surgeons a new safe and simple alternative to standard methods for creating an anastomosis for the first time in nearly 50 years. In its first proof-of-concept clinical trial in humans, the device was easy for surgeons to use, even with patients who required complicated surgical reconstruction. It also was safe; none of the patients had any complications related to the use of the device or the anastomosis it fashioned.

ConvaTec has introduced the GentleCath Glide, an intermittent catheter developed to provide simple, convenient hydrophilic catheterisation for daily users, in Europe. The availability of GentleCath Glide in European markets follows its launch in the US earlier this year, and will be supported by the roll out of the me+ programme for continence care, an extension of the company’s direct-to-consumer programme in ostomy care.

Ethicon has announced the launch of its ProxiSure Suturing Device, an advanced laparoscopic suturing device featuring Ethicon endomechanical, suture and curved needle technologies. The addition of ProxiSure builds upon Ethicon's expansive portfolio of suturing technologies while establishing a new standard of excellence in laparoscopic suturing, the company stated.

The FDA has approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of adult and paediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.

ConvaTec has announced the global launch of the Natura Convex Cut-to-Fit Accordion Flange designed to make two-piece ostomy pouch application easier and more comfortable for people with a stoma.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has announced that its new line of Snowden-Pencer 3.0mm laparoscopic ergonomic take-apart instruments received FDA 510(k) clearance for use in laparoscopic surgery. The new line of Snowden-Pencer 3.0mm laparoscopic ergonomic take-apart instruments are designed for micro-laparoscopic surgery and function like 5.0mm instruments. The jaw lengths of the devices mirror those of standard laparoscopic instruments, providing surgeons with a less invasive approach without compromising instrument functionality.

Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci X Surgical System has received CE Mark approval in Europe. The da Vinci X System will provide surgeons and hospitals with access to some of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgery technology at a lower cost, the company claims, and the launch of the da Vinci X System underscores Intuitive’s commitment to meeting customers’ needs with a strong value-oriented portfolio of cost-appropriate technologies and an array of financing options.