Menu
29/04/2010
British Man Undergoes World's First 'Robotic Arm' Assisted Heart Surgery
A British patient was part of a world first yesterday, when he underwent heart surgery that used a robotic arm.
Kenneth Crocker, 70, had the successful operation to correct an irregular heartbeat at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire.
Mr Crocker's ground-breaking operation was completed in just one hour yesterday and hailed an "enormous success" by British doctors.
The retired postal worker from Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, had suffered from an irregular heartbeat for four years.
Before going into theatre, he said: "Somebody always has to be the first to try something and I've always had a sense of adventure.
"I've been very excited about the operation for weeks. It's a little bit of extra magic being the first in the world."
The procedure involved careful steering of a catheter via veins from the groin to the heart, using X-ray images as a guide.
Normally, surgeons operate at the bedside and have to shield themselves from the radiation by wearing heavy lead aprons.
Now, the new gadget can be attached to the bed and the surgeon can work in a separate room via images on a screen.
Lead surgeon Dr Andre Ng, at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, said the aprons were "burdensome" and that "protracted procedures can lead to clinician fatigue and high cumulative radiation exposure."
The system also improved precision and one day "may allow complex procedures to be made more streamlined," he added.
The Remote Catheter Manipulation System was made by US company Catheter Robotics Inc.
It has been in development for four years but this is the first time it has been used on humans.
Dr Ng's team performs more than 600 such catheter procedures a year.
(LB/BMcC)
Kenneth Crocker, 70, had the successful operation to correct an irregular heartbeat at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire.
Mr Crocker's ground-breaking operation was completed in just one hour yesterday and hailed an "enormous success" by British doctors.
The retired postal worker from Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, had suffered from an irregular heartbeat for four years.
Before going into theatre, he said: "Somebody always has to be the first to try something and I've always had a sense of adventure.
"I've been very excited about the operation for weeks. It's a little bit of extra magic being the first in the world."
The procedure involved careful steering of a catheter via veins from the groin to the heart, using X-ray images as a guide.
Normally, surgeons operate at the bedside and have to shield themselves from the radiation by wearing heavy lead aprons.
Now, the new gadget can be attached to the bed and the surgeon can work in a separate room via images on a screen.
Lead surgeon Dr Andre Ng, at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, said the aprons were "burdensome" and that "protracted procedures can lead to clinician fatigue and high cumulative radiation exposure."
The system also improved precision and one day "may allow complex procedures to be made more streamlined," he added.
The Remote Catheter Manipulation System was made by US company Catheter Robotics Inc.
It has been in development for four years but this is the first time it has been used on humans.
Dr Ng's team performs more than 600 such catheter procedures a year.
(LB/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 October 2010
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
30 May 2012
Former NOTW Editor Arrested
Former News of the World Editor Andy Coulson has been detained in London this morning on suspicion of committing perjury. The PM's former communications officer was held during the Tommy Sheridan trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Former NOTW Editor Arrested
Former News of the World Editor Andy Coulson has been detained in London this morning on suspicion of committing perjury. The PM's former communications officer was held during the Tommy Sheridan trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
20 March 2013
Missing Person Investigation Procedure To Change
How police investigate missing person reports is to change from April, in an effort to focus resources on cases which are considered most at risk. Currently police must investigate each report, of which they receive around 900 a day.
Missing Person Investigation Procedure To Change
How police investigate missing person reports is to change from April, in an effort to focus resources on cases which are considered most at risk. Currently police must investigate each report, of which they receive around 900 a day.
27 August 2010
Fairer School Admission Procedure Call
Poor children already lagging behind their better-off peers in terms of educational achievement are held back by socially selective school admissions says children's charity Barnardo's. Children born into disadvantage are already less likely to do well in school and go on to higher education.
Fairer School Admission Procedure Call
Poor children already lagging behind their better-off peers in terms of educational achievement are held back by socially selective school admissions says children's charity Barnardo's. Children born into disadvantage are already less likely to do well in school and go on to higher education.
19 May 2014
Convicted Killer Fails To Return After Day Release
A convicted killer has failed to return to prison following a day release on Saturday. 44-year-old Arnold Pickering, from Greater Manchester, failed to return to Kennet Prison on Liverpool, marking the third time he has gone on the run. Pickering was jailed for life in 1991.
Convicted Killer Fails To Return After Day Release
A convicted killer has failed to return to prison following a day release on Saturday. 44-year-old Arnold Pickering, from Greater Manchester, failed to return to Kennet Prison on Liverpool, marking the third time he has gone on the run. Pickering was jailed for life in 1991.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
