Low-Cost Mechanical Device for Minimally Invasive Surgery

A new type of mechanical instrument was developed to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures, also known as laparoscopic surgery. The technology could lead to less trauma for patients and shorter recovery times after surgery. The technology is based on National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded engineering research, and is being commercialized by FlexDex Surgical, a spinoff founded by University of Michigan engineers (Figure 1).