Trans-oral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) has become a recognised endoscopic approach for thyroid disease which has shown the biggest expansion in use when compared to other endoscopic alternatives standard surgical option for thyroid disease. TOETVA is a minimally invasive approach to surgery on the thyroid gland that offers the advantage of no externally visible scar. The procedure requires the use of carbon dioxide insufflation to keep the working space open and permit good visibility for the surgeon to carry out the procedure safely. Unfortunately, during the current TOETVA procedure the insufflation may result in major complications, such as the inadvertent injection of the carbon dioxide into a large vein or artery. It is also associated with certain non-fatal risks such as subcutaneous emphysema (which is gas tracking under the skin).
We have developed an innovative surgical tool that may be used for TOETVA surgery. The new device eliminates the risks and potential complications associated with the current insufflation procedure while still permitting good visibility of the operating space by the surgeon.
The application field is specially for TOETVA surgery. This is the first purposefully built device for TOETVA. It offers a simpler alternative to the current standard operation with better safety profiles.
A initial patent, entitled "Retractor device for transoral insertion to a surgical site, and method of viewing a surgical site" has been in filed in 2020 in the UK (GB2003311.), and taken to an international filing (PCT) in 2021 (PCT/EP2021/055173). A European Community Design Application (No. 0007793666-0001) and a US Design Application (No.29/735,914) have also been filed.
We are looking for potential licensees and collaborators to develop a final product for commercialisation. A prototype can be provided for evaluation.