Photo opportunity 3pm, Tuesday 16 July, Department of Medicine, Medical School, Ninewells Hospital.
A surgical robotic saw that cuts through bone without harming the surrounding flesh is being developed by engineers and surgeons at the University of Dundee.
Alan Slade and Professor Jim Hewit, in the School of Engineering are working with Hull University and Loughbourgh University to develop the saw which uses cutting blades on an axis to cut in perfect curves to avoid damaging the surrounding flesh. The engineers have made the insertion tool so small that it can be used in minimal access surgery.
Taking the technology a step further, the engineers are currently investigating the possibility of using ultrasound - a non-contact method of cutting bone which could be used through keyhole surgery.
The engineers are also working on a bone registration system that takes an image of the leg and rapidly constructs a prototype so the surgeons can practise cutting the bone six times over so they know their cutting route intimately before they begin the real operation.
These are some of many joint initiatives that have been sparked by the international "Technology meets Surgery" conference opening at the University of Dundee today. Clinicians and technologists from as far afield as Brazil will gather at the University to share developments in research projects that were conceived when the conference last met. This is the first time that the conference has been held in Scotland.
Surgeons and clinicians are faced with many problems providing health care whether a simple problem of monitoring and recording data or a major problem encountered in theatre. At "Technology meets Surgery", surgeons and clinicians are able to talk directly with engineers to discuss the problems and formulate solutions.
Delegates will hear presentations on surgery, radiology, vascular, orthopaedic, tissue engineering and rehabilitation before breaking into groups to brainstorm further joint initiatives.