IntelliVision - Global Surgical Training Challenge

Team Lead: Dr. Ramesh Makam

Lead Institution: Bangalore Endoscopic Surgery Training Institute and Research Centre

Team Countries: India

Team IntelliVision is developing a training module for surgical residents and surgeons to learn to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Dr. Makam expects that when they are able to deliver this surgical training module, surgeons will be able to reduce pain and bleeding, as well as a quicker recovery, in patients through the use of laparoscopic techniques.

Intellivision video for the GSTC Prototype Showcase 18 Aug 21

“The Discovery Award will provide not only financial support to help us achieve our goal, but also moral support from experts around the world,” says Dr. Ramesh Makam. “We know we will be able to face whatever technical challenges we may come across through this process.”

Research shows that laparoscopic cholecystectomy — surgery to remove the gallbladder — has a number of benefits over a traditional open technique. Patients have a better postoperative outcome, less pain and reduced bleeding. Many patients in low and middle income countries often do not have access to this minimally invasive procedure and, therefore, do not benefit from the benefits.

Team Intellivision, based in India, is aiming to teach surgical residents and practicing surgeons how to perform this common procedure laparoscopically. This technique, which uses very small incisions, has become the gold standard for the treatment of gallbladder disease in high income countries.

Their approach will be to develop three modules that focus on knowledge acquisition, cognitive skills and surgical skills. They are using several technologies to achieve this, including a learning management system, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and bioprinting.

“We are thrilled not only to have the financial support of the Discovery Award,” says Dr. Makam Ramesh, who works at the Bangalore Endoscopic Surgery Training Institute and Research Center, the team’s lead institution. “We are also looking forward to the support and mentoring from technical experts from across the globe.”

The team

Dr. Makam Ramesh is the Founder Director of Bangalore Endoscopic Surgery Training Institute & Research Centre. He is a senior consultant surgeon of the Department of GI, Minimal Access, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery at A.V. Hospital.

Dr. Tulip, after her Fellowship in Minmal Invasive Surgery at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, has done her Fellowhship in Bariatric Surgery at the University of Minnisotta, USA, she has been involved in training surgeons in the field of Laparoscopic surgery since 2003.

Karthik Damodhara holds B.E. in Automobile Engineering from Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. Karthik focuses in areas of Designing of parts with Computer Aided Design, Solid Works which emphasis on Manufacturing of the Mechanical Components.

Dr. Santhosh Kumar S holds Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India and worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in laboratory for biomaterials at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore.

Mr. Srujan G. L. holds a B.E. in Electronics and Communication. He has experience in the Design and Development of Autopilot systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. He specialises in Sensor Signal processing, Embedded Software & Hardware development, System Design and Robotics.

Sudheera Lakshmi Setty’s area of expertise is in conceptualization of medical procedures into 3d models and animation, bringing clarity and ease to understand the procedure with the help of animations, motion graphics and graphic design. She has an experience of 15 years specialising in this field.

Chandan Prakash holds B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management. He focuses in areas of Designing of parts with Computer Aided Design, Solid Works which emphasis on Manufacturing of the Mechanical Components.

Rajshekar researches Augmented and Virtual Reality and other emerging technologies such as Brain-Computer Interfaces. He is currently pursuing his Master's degree at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Vijay is involved in product development, management and technology. Focus areas include Artificial intelligence, data analytics, IoT [ Internet of things], Image Processing. Vijay co-founded AI - agritech startup “Kombe”