Invention aims to improve surgery

The device also aims to make surgeons' jobs easier

A deal has been struck to develop an innovative piece of medical equipment which aims to improve vascular surgery.

The Mosquito, which consists of a vibrating needle holder, is designed to help doctors treat patients with hardened blood vessels more easily.

It aims to eliminate the use of thicker needles, which can cause more damage to vessels already seriously impaired.

The device has been developed by Peter Stonebridge, a consultant vascular surgeon at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital.

It will now be developed through an agreement signed by Scottish Health Innovations Limited (SHIL), which helps NHS Scotland to develop new ideas, and the Swiss company Active Ultrasonics.

Amputation risk

In many cases of patients with coronary artery disease, cardiac surgeons often come across calcified, or hardened, vessels when performing coronary bypass operations and aortic surgery.

Vascular surgeons face similar problems and often have to resort to the use of larger needles which are more likely to damage blood vessels.

In serious cases, some have to resort to amputating the affected limb.

However, it is hoped that the Mosquito's design will allow fine needles to be used for these procedures and reduce the risk to patients.

Test model

Mr Stonebridge said: "The calcification of artery walls, particularly those close to the heart, is a major and frequently encountered problem.

"A device such as the Mosquito would be of great benefit to vascular surgeons and importantly will improve the standard of care we can offer the patient."

A working model of the Mosquito will now be produced for testing.

SHIL business development manager Dr Nigel McLean said: "To date, no technology or device attempts to overcome frequently encountered problems that surgeons face when suturing hardened calcified tissue or when suturing grafts to tissues."