The Laboratory
Dr. Belsley helps coordinate surgical research at the laboratory which has been home to many innovations in surgical technique and physiology.
Dr. Belsley has been working with the Center for Simulation, Training and Robotic Surgery from the time it was established at St. Luke's Hospital in 2003. By integrating the disciplines of Surgery, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Cognitive Learning, the center aims to design systems that allow physicians and paramedical personnel to improve the technical and cognitive education necessary for the care of patients. The advancement of surgical training as well as ongoing imaging, simulation and robotic research is the guiding compass for the Center.
The Center is composed of nearly 2,500 square feet of research, training and office space on the 11th floor of the Science and Research (S&R) building at the St. Luke's site. The fully operational research operating suite serves as host for robotic and laparoscopic training programs for both surgical residents and visiting surgeons. Advanced inanimate laparoscopic training modules as well as a laparoscopic computer simulator are housed in two other dedicated areas of the Center.
The Mission and Collaboration
Robotic experiments are being performed attempting to use the API and mathematical algorithms to allow a quantification of surgical skill.
Today the Surgical Research Laboratory serves as a core facility to centralize research projects and facilitate collaboration between surgeons representing their respective divisions. Our group consists of members specializing in Aneurysm Biology, Bariatric Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, and Vascular and Endograft Surgery. We also collaborate with many other SLRHC hospital departments including the Departments of Pathology, Pulmonology, and Cardiology. Projects also include alliances with researchers at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Research laboratory is conveniently located across the street from the Columbia University Undergraduate Campus.
Research Fellows
A laparoscopic suturing module is demonstrated. This simulation system allows residents to practice on a safe training system prior to attempting any procedures in the operating room.
Two surgical residents are chosen each year after completing their PGY-3 training to perform a research fellowship. One or both residents will stay on at the labs at St Luke's-Roosevelt to continue both clinical and basic science projects. In addition to the many staff attendings and fellows who facilitate projects in their respective fields, there is also one full-time employee and often at least one pre-medical student who complete the group. Our facilities are located at St. Luke's Hospital in the S&R building on the 11th floor and include a chemistry lab, cell-culture room, two inanimate training labs, an operating room that accommodates large animal experiments, as well as office space and an adjoining conference room with teleconferencing and video-recording capabilities.
