How a UNL Medtech Startup is Transforming Abdominal Surgery

Shane Farritor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty member, was featured in a University of Nebraska System story about Virtual Incision, the medical device company he co-founded. He is working to transform abdominal surgeries with a miniaturized, first-of-its-kind surgical robot, MIRA. Virtual Incision and the University of Nebraska System are members of Bio Nebraska.
Story from the University of Nebraska System
Shane Farritor. Picture courtesy of the University of Nebraska System.

More than 400,000 Americans need colon resection procedures each year to treat lower gastrointestinal diseases such as diverticulitis, colon polyps, pre-cancerous and cancerous colon lesions and inflammatory bowel disease. Right now, the most common approach to colorectal procedures is open surgery—which requires a large incision, a lengthy hospital stay and several weeks of recovery, as well as a high risk of infection and other complications. 

All that could change with Virtual Incision, a medical device company cofounded by University of Nebraska–Lincoln engineering professor Shane Farritor. He is working to transform abdominal surgeries with a miniaturized, first-of-its-kind surgical robot, MIRA.