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Innovator Spotlight
Listening to patients and clinicians inspires innovation for this surgeon
Annmarie Vilkins, DO, is a practical innovator.
“I don’t believe in overworking things,” she says. “But if it’s a real problem, let’s find a way to fix it. I want to be extremely streamlined in all our processes – our patients expect that of us. And anything that makes it easier for the surgeon makes it easier on the patient.”
Using her innovative and collaborative spirit, Dr. Vilkins, a minimally invasive gynecological surgeon, founded LaparAssist Inc. with four Michigan State University doctoral students in December 2023.
She had envisioned a better way to communicate with and teach student doctors when her hands were literally full during laparoscopic procedures.
During a laparoscopic procedure, communication is key, particularly at any medical training institution. This becomes challenging when the attending surgeon has both hands occupied with laparoscopic instruments and then must rely on verbal communication only. Dr. Vilkins’ concept was to somehow use a laser pointer mounted to headgear. She could then use her head and as extra hand to show the trainee exactly where to go by pointing on the monitor they use to see inside the patient. While many safety measures and practices are in place already, this would add another layer of safety by enhancing communication.
The laser pointer on the headgear uses Bluetooth technology and is activated by a pedal on the floor. All the surgeon needs to do is press the pedal and point the laser to the spot on the monitor.
“Physicians always have good ideas but no time to do anything with them,” Dr. Vilkins said.
Enter a group of Michigan State University biomedical engineering doctoral students and Henry Ford Innovations. The students were shadowing clinicians at Henry Ford Hospital and one aspect of the class was to design a device that could improve clinical practice. Innovations helped secure a patent for the invention and entered into a licensing agreement with the newly created LaparAssist Inc. in December 2023.
“It was really symbiotic that I had these brilliant students to hand my idea to and say, ‘let’s try this,’” Dr. Vilkins said.
Dr. Vilkins and the team are optimizing their prototype device with the goal of eventually making it available for purchase to both individual physicians and healthcare facilities.
Keeping the focus on her patients
In an earlier project, Dr. Vilkins participated in a study that looked at ways to decrease the use of opioids after laparoscopic hysterectomy. Prior to the project, the standard was to prescribe five days-worth of painkillers, or an average of 20 tablets. In the study, the physician took five minutes to talk to the patient. They told each patient they could have from zero to 15 tablets and that the average patient took seven tablets in the days following surgery. With that information, the typical patient chose seven tablets. Even when being discharged with fewer pills, 98% of patients reported their postoperative pain control to be acceptable, and most still had leftover tablets.
“We found that using education and shared decision making made a significant difference for our patients,” she said. “Setting realistic expectations during that conversation had a calming and empowering effect. We reminded them that no surgery is pain free and the medication is intended to help them with basic functions immediately after the procedure.”
Dr. Vilkins’ interest and undergraduate work in psychology has served her well when it comes to her patient-centered approach to healing. In obstetrics specifically, she said change happens quickly – to a woman’s body and state of mind – before during and after giving birth.
“We need to help mothers and families navigate their new reality. Sometimes it’s as simple as really listening to them,” she said.
While Dr. Vilkins isn’t sure she will feel like a true innovator until “I walk into an OR and see what I created being uses as a standard of care,” her unique way of combining what’s best for the patient with clinical best practice today suggests otherwise.