Derby Neck Library to present robotics demo Saturday

 

Griffin Health introduces robotic treatment for prostate condition

DERBY – Griffin Health is offering men an advanced, minimally invasive solution to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that affects 70% of men over age 60, that eliminates the need for long-term medication treatment and its associated side effects.

Aquablation is a revolutionary procedure that uses an ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet to precisely target excess prostate tissue while safeguarding critical anatomy. This treatment offers faster, more effective symptom relief than traditional treatments for BPH.

“Aquablation is a person-centered and compassionate solution for men who want relief from the discomfort and embarrassment of BPH,” said Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologist Dr. Johnson Tsui. “This safe and effective therapy allows men to regain control and improve their quality of life in a matter of days instead of ongoing medication that can have life-changing side effects including dizziness, low blood pressure and sexual dysfunction.”

BPH is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects nearly all men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which directs urine out of the body. As men get older, hormonal changes can cause the prostate to grow. This can lead to considerable discomfort and, as the prostate presses on the urethra, disrupts urination.

Common symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, especially at night, difficulty starting urination, weak or interrupted urine stream, and a feeling that the bladder isn’t fully empty.

Managing BPH symptoms can involve simple lifestyle changes like reducing fluids before bed, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and staying active. Individuals with BPH are commonly prescribed medications to relax or shrink the prostate. These medications can help, but often cause side effects like dizziness, sexual dysfunction, increased risk of falling, reduced cognitive function, or cardiovascular concerns. Additionally, medications often require ongoing daily use, and some patients may find that their symptoms persist or worsen over time despite treatment.

Aquablation therapy uses advanced ultrasound guided waterjets to deliver a high-velocity stream of water that precisely removes excess prostate tissue, offering faster, more significant symptom relief and reducing the need for long-term drug therapy. This technique is performed under visual guidance, allowing for targeted treatment with minimal damage to surrounding structures. Recovery is typically short and any needed hospital stays are brief.

Clinical studies have shown that waterjet-based therapy delivers superior outcomes compared to medication alone, with higher rates of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction as it preserves sexual function and continence better than many traditional procedures including the most common - Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP). It is especially beneficial for men with larger prostates or those who have not responded to medications.

“If you are experiencing persistent urinary symptoms due to BPH and want a solution that goes beyond medication, this innovative approach may help you regain control and improve your quality of life,” said Dr. Tsui.

For more information about Aquablation therapy at Griffin Health visit www.griffinhealth.org/aquablation or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urology at 203-944-3712. 

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton offers coding activity for children

Coding with Robotics

1-2 p.m. Jan. 28

Ages: 7 years old+

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton

Registration is required for children only.

Children 7 years old and older will be instructed by SCSU Makerspace Librarian, Kevin Redline how to use Dashes by Wonder Workshop to code their way through a maze!

Then children will be separated into teams and encouraged to make a their own maze from painter’s tape. Then each team will be “challenged” to code their way through another team’s maze! Caregivers must remain with their children for program duration.

This program is generously funded by Hilton C. Buley Library, Southern Connecticut State University.

Register online or by calling 203-924-1580 ext. 3. Registration required for children only.

Registration link: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2661&BranchID=826&Branch=Plumb%20Memorial%20Library&EventID=482189&PK=

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Shelton couple supports Griffin's Surgical Expansion Campaign

Chris and Jill Douglas of Shelton, at right, recently presented Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel with a generous donation to support Griffin’s Surgical Expansion Campaign. 

The donation was a combination of a personal gift from the Douglas family and a match from The Own Your Future Foundation Inc. 

Griffin’s Surgical Expansion Campaign is raising funds to increase its number of operating rooms and build a state of-the-art technology operating room to accommodate robotic surgery cases for its da Vinci Xi Surgical System. 

For more information about Griffin’s Robotic Surgery Program or to make a gift to the campaign, visit griffinhealth.org/robotic-surgery.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital in Derby.

Shelton History Center shares Shelton High School robotics team's 3D figurines

These 3D printed robot figurines were created by Team 230 at Shelton High School. 
The team was founded in 1998 to promote learning and knowledge for students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). These figurines were printed by the team from a pre-existing design that they modified to include 230. 
These figurines, and the materials that were donated with them, are just one of the many examples of how the Shelton Historical Society collects items from the past and present for the future.

*Information shared from the Shelton History Center Facebook page.

Play 'Operation' with surgical robot at Griffin Hospital in Derby event

Griffin Hospital will host a robotic surgery information event on Oct. 30.

DERBY - Griffin Health’s da Vinci® Xi surgical robot will take on challengers to a game of Hasbro’s Operation from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Participants will receive prizes for their efforts and can meet surgeons to learn how robotic surgery helps with general, colorectal, thoracic and bariatric surgery.

Light refreshments will be served.

About Robotic-Assisted Surgery at Griffin Hospital

In 2018, Griffin Health started a Robotic-Assisted Surgery Program and added the da Vinci® Xi Surgery System - the most up-to-date, advanced surgical robot available - to expand its range of services and offer additional minimally invasive surgical options to patients. da Vinci Surgery benefits patients by offering shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, fewer complications, less need for narcotic pain medicine, faster recovery, and smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring. 

Griffin uses robotic-assisted surgery for bariatric, cardiac, colorectal, general, gynecologic, and head and neck surgeries. 

For more information, visit griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Beacon Falls Public Library to host Firefly Walk

Shared from the Beacon Falls Library Facebook page:

"Join us [at 8:15 p.m. July 20] for a family night out at Matthies Park! We will start with a story time under the pavilion, learn some fun facts about fireflies, and then try to observe some of these fascinating insects for ourselves.
Refreshments will be served under the pavilion following the walk (S'Mores and Hot Cocoa).

"This event is a fundraiser to support STEM and Robotics programming at the Beacon Falls Public Library.
Suggested donation is $5/family. Registration is requested so that we can plan for refreshments.
Please contact KVardon@biblio.org with any questions or for more information."

Matthies Park is on Pines Bridge Road in Beacon Falls.

O'Brien Tech in Ansonia to host Young Manufacturers Academy

Free summer program offered to Grades 7-9

*Information shared from Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page. 

Newsletter: Forum on transplants, Shelton robotics team slates fair, more

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter features a forum hosted at Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport for kidney transplant donors and recipients, Shelton High School robotics team slates tech fair, more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti and Ralph

Shelton High School Robotics team to host tech fair

Shelton High's 2014 robot shows its stuff at contest

Shelton High School students demonstrated their 2014 Gaelhawks robot's abilities at the FIRST LEGO League competition Nov. 21 at the school. Here it picked up three plastic containers and moved them across the floor. It was not part of the qualifying tournament that day. 

Kudos to the three Shelton teams that did qualify for the upcoming FIRST LEGO League state championship Saturday! Great job.

Check out the story here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Shelton High hosts robotics competition today

Students, parents, educators, and mentors were on hand today in Shelton High School gym for Circus Robotix, a competition among 22 teams from schools throughout the state. 
It was the 12th annual FIRST Lego League Robotics Qualifying Tournament. The winners will go on to a state championship event Dec. 5 at Shelton High School.

The students' enthusiasm for learning science and technology that this program creates is infectious. 
One parent told me some of the mentors (including himself) had remained to volunteer with the program even years after their own children had graduated from high school.



Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.