Development of miniaturized light endoscope-holder robot for laparoscopic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
We have conducted experiments with an innovatively designed robot endoscope holder for laparoscopic surgery that is small and low cost.


METHODS
A compact light endoscope robot (LER) that is placed on the patient's skin and can be used with the patient in the lateral or dorsal supine position was tested on cadavers and laboratory pigs in order to allow successive modifications. The current control system is based on voice recognition. The range of vision is 360 degrees with an angle of 160 degrees . Twenty-three procedures were performed.


RESULTS
The tests made it possible to advance the prototype on a variety of aspects, including reliability, steadiness, ergonomics, and dimensions. The ease of installation of the robot, which takes only 5 minutes, and the easy handling made it possible for 21 of the 23 procedures to be performed without an assistant.


CONCLUSIONS
The LER is a camera holder guided by the surgeon's voice that can eliminate the need for an assistant during laparoscopic surgery. The ease of installation and manufacture should make it an effective and inexpensive system for use on patients in the lateral and dorsal supine positions. Randomized clinical trials will soon validate a new version of this robot prior to marketing.
Long
Jean-Alexandre
JA
Department of Urology, CHU Grenoble, Grenoble, France. JALong@chu-grenoble.fr
Cinquin
Philippe
P
Troccaz
Jocelyne
J
Voros
Sandrine
S
Berkelman
Peter
P
Descotes
Jean-Luc
JL
Letoublon
Christian
C
Rambeaud
Jean-Jacques
JJ
D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D008904:Miniaturization; D012371:Robotics; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D013552:Swine; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014584:User-Computer Interface