[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          IN RECOGNITION OF THE LAHEY CLINIC OF BURLINGTON, MA

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER G. TORKILDSEN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. TORKILDSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring attention to a very 
creative initiative being undertaken in my district.
  Lahey Clinic, located in Burlington, MA, has established the 
Ambulatory Surgical Research Center. This center is designed to respond 
to the changing demands of the health care industry for cost reduction 
and the defense conversion needs of our country.
  As health care and defense industries continue to experience dramatic 
change, there is a critical need to shift advanced technologies from 
the defense sector to the private sector, and to health care in 
particular. In response to this need, Lahey Clinic will attempt to 
reduce postoperative hospital stays by introducing into the health care 
arena an advanced, minimally invasive, surgical system developed 
through the conversion of defense technology.
  The concept is fascinating and has tremendous applicability. The 
Ambulatory Surgical Research Center will utilize virtual reality and 
telepresence whereby surgeons will be capable of operating from work 
stations physically removed from the patient. Surgical consultants with 
a unique expertise at remote locations can be instantly brought into 
the operating room to assist in complex procedures. For example, the 
surgeon will view details of the surgery on a heads-up display provided 
to the surgical team via imaging goggles. Manipulators are then 
inserted into the patient's body through natural openings or tiny 
incisions. The surgeon operates by wire in virtual reality observing 
internal details via a three dimensional video image.
  In addition, this system will employ dual-use technologies that can 
stabilize wounded soldiers through remote surgery on the battlefield of 
the future. The virtual reality component will also impart a highly 
valuable training capability. Future surgeons will be able to perform 
simulated operations with sensory inputs and control outputs that are 
indistinguishable from real cases.

  An additional important focus of the center will be telemedicine. 
Lahey Clinic has a unique approach to this. Through various corporate 
partnerships, Lahey plans to develop a complete and comprehensive 
telemedicine product rather than individual components of a 
telemedicine system.
  This center will dramatically change and enhance the delivery of 
various surgical procedures and the costs associated with them. 
Procedures that presently require several days of postoperative 
recovery in the hospital will be replaced by ambulatory, minimally 
invasive procedures. Other procedures that require extended 
postoperative hospitalization will require only 1 or 2 days of recovery 
as a result of the system to be developed.
  Lahey Clinic has demonstrated its continued commitment to the 
establishment of the Ambulatory Surgical Research Center and has 
established three advisory committees that will serve as a pivotal role 
in the direction of the center. The committees consist of the 
following: the surgical advisory committee for medical issues, the 
science advisory committee for technical issues, and the product 
advisory committee for business issues and prospective partners.
  Although there has been some delay in ultimately securing Federal 
assistance, I remain committed to working for this initiative. I salute 
Lahey Clinic for its vision, creativity, and commitment which are a 
continuing tribute to the fine medical institution that it has become 
and will continue to be.

                          ____________________