Aside from my day job in urology at Groote Schuur and Red Cross Children’s Hospitals, I have been motivated to pursue medical device development. Each of these projects represents a possible answer to a surgical problem.
The Locator and AirTrak are intended to improve on the techniques for renal collecting system puncture during kidney stone surgery. In the case of the AirTrak, the technology is also applicable to prostate fusion biopsy.
The AirScope and AirCam are more ergonomic solutions to the cumbersome camera and light cable attached to endoscopes.
Collaboration is an enjoyable aspect of device development:
I supervised Mkhokheli Ncube’s MSc thesis on wireless endoscopy, and we continue to collaborate on product development for the AirScope and AirCam.
Mark Asselin of Queens University in Canada provided software support to help develop the optically tracked needle – the AirTrak.
Graham Jaftha and Dean Stockwell in the Clinical Engineering Department at Red Cross Children’s Hospital have helped with the electronic construction of the AirCam and AirScope.
The team at UCT’s Clinical Research Centre continue to support me with SAHPRA and ethics applications.