Surgical Robotics Technology
As part of its STARThu program, the Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) has just acquired Epione®, the robot from Quantum Surgical designed to assist physicians in the curative and early treatment of abdominal and lung tumors. The CHU is the first center in Occitanie to offer patients this minimally invasive, safe, and effective surgery.
To destroy an abdominal or lung tumor, a percutaneous tumor ablation (through the skin) can be performed. This is a minimally invasive radiological procedure aimed at destroying the cancerous tumor using a needle, either through heat or cold. Therefore, it is essential to guide this needle precisely to the location of the tumor. This process is often long and challenging, as tumors can be small and “poorly located.”
This is where the robotic platform Epione® comes into play. Using imaging technology, the Epione® robot assists physicians by:
- Visualizing the area to be treated with a 2D/3D image fusion software and ensuring the precise positioning of the ablation needle.
- Confirming the success of the treatment.
For patients, this means access to a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment.
As part of its STARThu plan, the Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) has acquired Epione® to further develop robot-assisted procedures within its facilities, aiming to offer ever more advanced treatments to its patients. With this acquisition, the CHU becomes the fifth center in France to offer this innovative treatment.
Jean-François Lefebvre, General Manager of Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) : By integrating robotic solutions like Epione® in interventional imaging, the Toulouse University Hospital reaffirms its commitment to medical and technological innovation. This major advancement reflects our ongoing dedication to offering our patients less invasive, yet increasingly precise and effective treatments, particularly in oncology. I would like to commend Professor Mokrane and his teams for implementing this cutting-edge technology. As part of its 2023-2028 institutional project and through the STARThu plan (Strategic Plan for Robotic and Technological Interventional Assistance in University Hospitals), the CHU of Toulouse confirms its status as a leading reference center, ensuring both modernity and medical excellence.”
Professor Fatima Mokrane, radiologist at Toulouse University Hospital (CHU), explains: “Epione® is a unique therapeutic solution that allows us to treat early-stage and hard-to-reach tumors in a minimally invasive and highly precise manner. Thanks to this technology, we will be able to treat more patients in Toulouse, and in a more comfortable way.”
Bertin Nahum, President and Co-founder of Quantum Surgical, states: “We are delighted with this new acquisition by the Toulouse University Hospital, the first in Occitanie. The entire Quantum Surgical team is thrilled that our technology is now accessible to more patients for the treatment of their tumors.”
Source: Quantum Surgical
