Robotic and Technology Center Opens at UCLA

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3 -- A first-of-its-kind robotic and technology center has been opened at the University of California, LA (UCLA), to promote clinical, educational and research use of surgical robots and digital imaging in surgery and medicine.

UCLA and partners Computer Motion Inc., Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc. and BERCHTOLD Corp. say The Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT) is a "minimally invasive surgery think tank" and an environment for industry -- innovators in minimally invasive surgery and advanced operating room technology -- and scientists to work together to fuel robotic and imaging research and development to further define the operating room of the future.

CASIT, located at UCLA Medical Center, includes a hands-on robotic demonstration lab called the Gonda/UCLA Robotic Surgery Center; the UCLA Minimally Invasive Surgical Lab; and the Surgical Education and Resource Center. In addition, CASIT will lead the development of a new high-tech operating room. The center is also a key part of the California NANO Systems project.

For more information, visit: www.ucla.edu