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World’s First Robotic Surgery Using Meta Quest and 3D Visualization Demonstrate a Real-World Application of Augmented Reality (AR)

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Levita Magnetics’ state-of-the-art MARS robotic system offers surgeons unparalleled depth perception, designed to enable faster and more precise procedures

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a groundbreaking advancement for medical science, surgeons in Santiago, Chile, performed the world’s first robotic surgeries combining 3D visualization and augmented reality (AR), marking a significant step forward in improving surgical speed, visualization, precision, and patient outcomes.

Surgeons used the Levita® MARS® robotic platform to perform a series of 10 operations leveraging the Meta Quest 3 headset and the B. Braun Aesculap EinsteinVision 3D camera.

“In surgery, viewing is everything, and this is a major leap forward in surgical visualization,” said Dr. Rodriguez Navarro. “The surgeon-controlled stable surgical view provided by the MARS robotic system enables us to incorporate augmented reality and 3D visualization, allowing for an unprecedented improvement in surgical view. Our goal is to empower the surgeon with the capabilities to provide a safer, faster, and more precise procedure. This is a real-world application of AR and 3D that will truly transform the way surgery is performed.”

Dr. Rodriguez Navarro, a minimally invasive surgeon and CEO of Silicon Valley-based Levita Magnetics, was instrumental in developing the MARS robotic platform. This FDA-cleared innovative robotic system features Levita’s proprietary Dynamic Magnetic Positioning™ technology, allowing surgeons to maneuver instruments inside the body using magnets. MARS reduces the number of incisions and results in faster recovery, less pain, and fewer scars*.

By incorporating immersive 3D visualization into the surgeon’s view from the operating table, Levita is enhancing visibility and depth perception, resulting in more efficient surgeries. AR headsets offer the ability to enlarge and reposition the 3D view on the dynamic screen, making surgeries more ergonomic while keeping the surgeon closely connected to the patient within the sterile surgical field.

First Surgery and Global Implications

The surgeries performed at Hospital Luis Tisné, part of the governmental healthcare system in Chile, showcase the technology’s potential to make advanced robotic procedures more accessible to public hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ACS), where healthcare resources are often limited.

“The use of augmented reality in robotic surgeries is a pioneering advancement in the public system in Chile and worldwide, allowing us to improve precision in abdominal surgeries,” said Dr. Osvaldo Salgado, the Vice Minister of Health in Chile. “These surgical interventions were performed using augmented reality and the Levita robotic platform, allowing the patient’s internal structures to be visualized in 3D and improving safety and efficiency.”

Future Innovations: Telesurgery and AI Integration

AR headsets project a high-definition, virtual screen directly in front of the surgeon, marking the first step toward a fully integrated virtual diagnostics dashboard. While this technology is not cleared by the FDA and not yet available for sale, Dr. Rodriguez Navarro envisions providing real-time access to vital signs, patient history, previous diagnostic images and other critical information, all within the surgeon’s virtual visual field.

This innovation also opens the door to telesurgery and telementoring, with the potential to transform surgical practices worldwide, especially in remote areas without surgical expertise.

As the platform continues to evolve, the Levita team is working to integrate artificial intelligence (AI), enabling real-time surgery data analysis. This AI-powered innovation will improve decision- making during the procedure and will in the future provide automation for surgical tasks.

“We believe that AI and augmented reality will soon become the standard in surgical practice, enhancing efficiency, reducing complications, and ultimately improving patient outcomes,” said Dr. Rodriguez Navarro. “This technology is designed for a global impact, ensuring that the benefits of advanced surgery reach everyone, everywhere.”

About Levita

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Levita Magnetics was founded by innovator and surgeon Dr. Alberto Rodriguez Navarro. Its proprietary technology is designed to advance minimally invasive surgery. Levita developed the Levita Magnetic Surgical System and MARS, proprietary technologies designed to minimize the footprint of surgery and improve patient outcomes. For more information visit levita.com.

*Based on a retrospective study of 296 patients comparing magnetic liver retraction vs. a conventional liver retractor in bariatric surgery. Patients in the Magnetic Surgery cohort had significantly decreased 12- hour post-operative pain scores and hospital length of stay.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Tim Gray
Communications Strategist
385359@email4pr.com
917-202-9515
Levita Magnetics
385359@email4pr.com 

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SOURCE Levita Magnetics

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Unifor calls on CN to prioritize passenger rail services

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OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 24, 2024 /CNW/ – Unifor is urging Canadian National Railway (CN) to prioritize the effective management of its rail infrastructure to ensure the safe and efficient operation of VIA Rail’s passenger services.

“This is about CN stepping up to fulfil its obligations to all rail users,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Passenger rail must be prioritized to ensure that services like VIA Rail can operate safely and efficiently.”

Recent speed restrictions on key corridors have raised questions about CN’s accountability to all rail users, especially with minimal government oversight. Unifor maintains that CN has a duty to collaborate more effectively with passenger rail operators. The union argues that CN knew about VIA Rail’s acquisition of new trains and yet failed to engage in proactive discussions to accommodate the necessary adjustments.

“CN’s responsibility goes beyond sending notifications—it must actively facilitate a rail system that accommodates all users. As the owner and primary manager of these tracks, CN has a duty to ensure that passenger services are not compromised,” said Payne.

VIA Rail recently announced delays along the Quebec CityOttawaToronto corridor due to speed restrictions imposed on tracks owned and maintained by CN. The issue has drawn attention to the lack of regulatory oversight and CN’s dominant control over Canada’s rail infrastructure, impacting passenger rail services.

Unifor believes that the government must reassert regulatory oversight to prevent freight operators from sidelining passenger rail services. The union continues to advocate for the investment in passenger rail infrastructure, fair regulation, and a rail network that puts Canadians’ needs first.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor

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Axon to Release Third Quarter 2024 Earnings on November 7, 2024

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global public safety technology leader, today announced that it will report third quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Axon will host a live Zoom video webinar to discuss the company’s financial results at 5 p.m. ET that same day.

The live webinar to discuss financial results, followed by Q&A, will be linked from Axon’s investor relations website at https://investor.axon.com. An archived replay will be available after the call ends. 

Upcoming Conference Participation

The Company also announced that Axon will participate in the following upcoming conferences. If applicable, events will be webcast live and archived on Axon’s investor relations website at https://investor.axon.com.

Northcoast 2024 Fall Management Forum, Wednesday, November 13, 202414th Annual Needham Virtual SaaS 1×1 Conference, Thursday, November 21, 2024Barclays Global Technology Conference, Wednesday, December 11, 2024

About Axon

Axon is a technology leader in global public safety. Our moonshot goal is to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public by 50% before 2033. Axon is building the public safety operating system of the future by integrating a suite of hardware devices and cloud software solutions that lead modern policing. Axon’s suite includes TASER energy devices, body cameras, in-car cameras, cloud-hosted digital evidence management solutions, productivity software and real-time operations capabilities. Axon’s growing global customer base includes first responders across international, federal, state and local law enforcement, fire, corrections and emergency medical services, as well as the justice sector, enterprises and consumers.

Non-Axon trademarks are property of their respective owners. Axon, the Delta Logo, Protect Life and TASER are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the United States and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Follow Axon here:

Axon on X: https://x.com/axon_usAxon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/Axon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axon-protect-life/

Note to Investors

Please visit http://investor.axon.com, https://www.axon.com/presshttps://x.com/axon_us and https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses information about the company, its financial information and its business.

CONTACT:
Investor Relations
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
IR@axon.com

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SOURCE Axon

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WASTE CONNECTIONS DEMONSTRATES PROGRESS TOWARDS ESG GOALS IN UPDATED 2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

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TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) (“Waste Connections” or the “Company”) today released its 2024 Sustainability Report – Connecting with the Sustainable Future. The report demonstrates progress toward the Company’s aspirational ESG targets and sustainability-related objectives.

“2023 was another year of progress towards our sustainability-related goals, which we believe are inextricably linked to our focus on value creation in our business,” said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With a multi-year reduction of 40% in emissions intensity, we have demonstrated that outsized growth is compatible with the achievement of our long-term aspirational ESG targets.”

Mr. Mittelstaedt added, “I would like to thank our 24,000 employees who embody our core values and drive our results. I’m particularly pleased by the notable momentum from reductions in voluntary turnover and the related impacts to safety-related metrics, both of which are showing ongoing improvement in 2024.”

Highlights of the 2024 Sustainability Report include:

Notable Gains in Employee Engagement: Voluntary turnover declined 22% in 2023, with continued improvement in 2024 bringing total declines of over 40% from peak levels in 2022.

Improved Safety Metrics: Incident rates were reduced by 7% in 2023, with ongoing momentum in 2024 bringing a total decline to 13% from 2022 levels.

Emissions Intensity Continues to Decline: Reductions in Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity of over 40% from the 2019 baseline with absolute emissions down 13%.

Increased Resource Recovery: Continued increases in recycling and biogas recovery and beneficial reuse, including through investments in new facilities.

Reducing Fleet Emissions: Initiated testing of electric vehicles in New York City as part of commercial franchise introduction, with additional units on order.

The Waste Connections 2024 Sustainability Report is available at wasteconnections.com/sustainability or by clicking the following link: Waste Connections 2024 Sustainability Report.

About Waste Connections

Waste Connections (wasteconnections.com) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves approximately nine million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 46 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections views its Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) efforts as integral to its business, with initiatives consistent with its objective of long-term value creation and focused on reducing emissions, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety and enhancing employee engagement. Visit wasteconnections.com/sustainability for more information and updates on our progress towards targeted achievement.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), including “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections’ current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the words “may,” “might,” “believes,” “thinks,” “expects,” “estimate,” “continue,” “intends” or other words of similar meaning. All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the timing and amount of investments and the ability to meet or exceed long-term, aspirational sustainability targets. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada.  You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

CONTACT:
Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253                              Joe Box / (832) 442-2153
maryannew@wasteconnections.com                              joe.box@wasteconnections.com    

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SOURCE Waste Connections, Inc.

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