A team of scientists at the National University of Ireland in Galway have developed an innovative new system that will allow patients to return home on the same day as their procedure.
A group of Galway scientists have invented an amazing new system to ‘transform stroke surgery’.
The groundbreaking new method will allow surgeons to remove blood clots from stroke patients in just 20 minutes. Thus, allowing them to return home on the same day as the procedure.
The team at the National University of Ireland in Galway (NUIG) received US and European patents for the invention last month, which will lead to groundbreaking changes in the medical field.
A breakthrough invention ‒ changing the game for stroke surgery
The team of Galway scientists invented a new system that will ‘transform stoke surgery’. Thus, bringing a massive improvement for both patients and hospital waiting times.
The new system is a minimally invasive procedure giving surgeons access to a patient’s artery through the neck. Therefore, allowing them to get closer to the location of the brain clot.
This will see a massive improvement on the current system, which uses a catheter inserted at the groin to remove the clot.
Galway scientists invent new system to ‘transform stroke surgery’ ‒ a breakthrough in medical science
Professor Sherif Sultan conceived the idea for the new system. Widely regarded as the best vascular surgeon in Ireland, Sultan has over 30 years working in the field.
With assistance from co-inventor Dr Niamh Hynes and contributions from biomedical engineers Colin Henehan and Stefan Lohfeld, Sultan and his team built a prototype for the new system.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Sultan explained that he wanted to develop the system following on from his experience as a vascular surgeon in Galway.
NUIG funded early development. However, Sultan explained that the system had been developed on a “shoestring” budget.
Bringing many benefits to both patients and hospitals ‒ a hugely positive impact
The new system, invented by Galway scientists, will ‘transform stroke surgery’ by reducing risk and slashing recovery times.
Professor Sultan explained that he hopes the system will be manufactured in Ireland. This will, in turn, create a number of new jobs in the country’s medical device sector.
The device is set to cost around €100 once it is available to buy. This is much cheaper than the cost of current treatments for brain clots. Thus, the new system will also help already thinly stretched hospitals save on costs.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Professor Sultan explains, “It reduces procedure time by 50 per cent to 20 minutes.” He also explains how the “lower-cost device eliminates the risk of cranial nerve damage and avoids overnight stay in the hospital.”
