Post written by Steven E. Shamah, MD, from the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Emek Hospital, Afula, Israel.

The focus of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel suturing device that uses robotics and artificial intelligence to perform endoscopic suturing.

Most endoscopic suturing devices have a steep learning curve. By introduction of a robotic and artificial intelligence platform that allows for automatic suturing, tightening, and ligating the suture, the platform is able to minimize complexity of the procedure and offer the possibility of the general gastroenterologist to perform a sleeve gastroplasty. Initial studies of an animal model that exhibit safety and reproducibility are paramount prior to human trials being considered.

In a side-by-side tissue analysis at 7 days and 28 days, samples from Overstitch Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Implant (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, Tex, USA) and EndoZip (Nitinotes Ltd, Caesarea, Israel) platforms demonstrated similar suture depth, durability, and tissue reaction. This shows that the EndoZip performs deep sutures similar to that of the expected platform.

In addition, all suture patterns in all porcine models were identical, allowing generalizability of reproducibility of the device. Every time the device is activated, the results will be the same.

Albeit 1 endoscopist conducted the study, there was a short learning curve and independence at performing the procedure within 2 trial runs. Future human trials are in the works, and we are excited to see the reproducibility of these results in humans as well.

Components of the EndoZip disposable device.

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