Hudson’s Hot Robotics

Mike Cortelli M.D., a cardiac surgeon at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, is not one to get excited about new “toys” for his profession but he’s certainly among the first to become credentialed to add robotic surgery to his range of services. Officials at the Hudson hospital – named one of America’s best hospitals in cardiology and heart surgery in 1999 and 2002 by U.S. News and World Report – recently introduced to its medical staff and members of the media the da Vinci robotic surgery system, purchased from Intuitive Surgical (nasdaq:ISRG/www.intuitivesurgical.com) in Mountain View, Calif.

The system is a third-generation technology that has evolved from what originated as a Dept. of Defense initiative in the late ’80s to treat wounded soldiers in the battlefield remotely. Although the military hasn’t deployed this technology to date, the non-military aspects have been appearing in hospitals and are becoming part of the curriculum for training surgeons at leading institutions.

The da Vinci system uses a computer to connect a surgeon’s hands to miniature instruments the size of a pencil. This means that incisions for cardiac surgery, for instance, are reduced to less than a half inch at as many as five sites in the chest cavity. The system translates hand movements of the surgeon to micromovement within the patient.

“This means a shorter length of stay and fewer complications for the patient,” says Glenn MacDonald, Intuitive Surgical’s area sales manager. “This technology is achieving positive clinical outcomes.”

Other hospitals in the Tampa Bay area that are using this robotic system include St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and Largo Medical Center. The first generation of robotic surgery – the Aesop system – has been offered at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for about five years. One advance in the da Vinci system is its three-dimensional view to guide surgeons during a procedure. This is an advantage over two-dimensional views of Aesop and laparoscopic surgery. In fact, when performing laparoscopic procedures, a surgeon must move “counter intuitively,” a term for making movements in the opposite direction of what is seen on camera.

“It’s like trying to write your name backwards,” MacDonald says.

“This system allows you to continue to operate the way you’re used to on patients,” says Dr. Cortelli.

While Cortelli adds that the da Vinci system does have a limited application, it is being used for general surgery, gynecological and urological procedures in addition to cardiac surgery. “Not every person who has surgery will need this system,” Cortelli says. “But it is less invasive. It is better in terms of a fast recovery, less scarring and less chance of a wound. This technology is so amazing because it allows you to shoot for the same results, such as a bypass staying open for 10 years or so.”

Tapping Homeland Security Market Among the high tech companies rushing to tap the homeland security market is Clearwater-based Tandel Systems, a 2-year-old controls systems firm led by former Honeywell executives. Using technology licensed from Honeywell, it is marketing command, control and information systems that blend defense technology with commercial efficiency for enterprises in emergency management. These systems make use of computers, software, cameras, and other high-tech gear as a foundation for systems used to control and manage security.

Michael Varga, 44, the company’s chief executive, describes the emerging market as “very exciting growth space.”

“First-responders are getting long overdue attention,” he says. “These people have been on the front lines of the war on terrorism and deserve the kind of support that our troops are getting in military defense. They deserve the best equipment, training and automation that this country can provide.”

Tandel Systems products and services are being applied to high performance dedicated computing and test systems in defense, aerospace, medical imaging, communications, and robotics industries as well as solutions for complex enterprise applications in homeland security. The company has aligned with Emergency Visions LLC of Atlanta to develop and deploy a system called ResponseVision – described as “a complete consequence management system that supports command, control, communication and information systems for first-responders in county, city, airport, seaport, or industrial complex management teams.”

Companies like Tandel are positioning themselves to be in line for what some observers predict will become a multi-million market by the end of this year. www.tandelsys.com

Technology Grants through TRDA
The Technological Research & Development Authority (www.trda.org) has resources to assist Florida companies secure private capital in their effort to develop and commercialize innovative technologies, products and services – provided they qualify. Among the eligibility requirements are that the firm have less than 250 employees and be able to prove a market for its technology.

TRDA’s Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies provides matching grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for energy-related research and development. The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program, funded largely by NASA, links companies having technology problems with a NASA scientist or engineer to assist in creating solutions.

“The goal of our program is to help increase the Florida economy to provide high-tech, well-paying jobs,” says Bobbie Sirmons, TRDA’s manager of energy programs. “We have received lots of applications from companies along the Florida High Tech Corridor.”

Companies that qualify for matching grants are requested to repay funds once they have commercialized their technology. “We ask for a royalty percentage of gross sales back into the fund,” Sirmons says. “Global Energy in Pasco County has been one of our successful companies and has started doing that.”

Some firms that have received TRDA grants include: Dynacs Engineeering Co. Inc., Palm Harbor; Insyte, Tampa; Tasnet Inc., Clearwater; and Global Energy Group, Odessa.

Aviation Research
The Center for General Aviation Research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Volusia County is conducting a $2.6 million research program to improve general aviation. Projects include measuring airplane icing conditions in the atmosphere, recommending
safety improvements at airports, investigating ethanol as a fuel for general aviation, analyzing the safety of agricultural aircraft, and developing joint training standards for new-generation general aviation aircraft. The research is being done for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The research is being coordinated by Embry-Riddle but includes faculty from other universities.

Embry-Riddle is considered to be the world’s oldest and largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace. It is the only accredited, aviation-oriented university in the world, founded Dec. 17, 1925, by barnstormer John Paul Riddle and entrepreneur T. Higbee Embry – 22 years after the Wright brothers’ historic flight. (www.erau.com)

Flash Cards
Microsoft offered its first dividend to shareholders last month. Bill Gates’ share: $99.5 million just in dividends ... Intuit, the company that makes TurboTax software, says it will let people prepare income tax forms online and submit the filings to the Internal Revenue Service. Check: www.intuit.com For the IRS, go to www.irs.gov ... Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control of Orlando has won a contract worth $130 million to make spare targets for the overall sight and pilot night-vision sensor program used in the U.S. Army’s AH64 helicopters.