Evaluation of a manually driven, multitasking platform for complex endoluminal and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery applications (with video).
BACKGROUND
The Direct Drive Endoscopic System (DDES) is a multitasking platform developed to overcome the limitations of the currently available rigid and flexible endoscopic systems in application to natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), single-port laparoscopy, and advanced endoluminal procedures. The system consists of a 3-channel, steerable guide sheath accepting a 6-mm endoscope and two 4-mm articulating instruments. The system's overall design enables the interventionalist to operate instruments bimanually from a stable platform, conveying a laparoscopic paradigm to the functional working space at the distal end of the flexible guide sheath.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the basic functionality of the DDES device in a series of defined exercises by using ex vivo porcine stomachs and 1 in vivo animal model.


METHODS
Ex vivo calibration and training exercises, including EMR, full-thickness suturing, and knot tying.


METHODS
Animal laboratory.


METHODS
EMR, full-thickness suturing, and knot tying.


METHODS
Successful completion of specified tasks.


RESULTS
Independent instrument movement with a wide range of motion allowed the interventionalist to perform several complex tasks efficiently. The DDES was able to (1) grasp tissue and hold it under tension, (2) cut through layers of porcine stomach in a controlled fashion, (3) suture, and (4) tie knots.


CONCLUSIONS
Ex vivo study.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel multitasking platform demonstrated surgical functionality including triangulation, cutting, grasping, suturing, and knot tying. Preliminary results suggest that the DDES can perform complex endosurgical tasks that have traditionally been challenging or impossible with the standard endoscopic paradigm, and may enable NOTES, single-port laparoscopy, and complex endoluminal procedures.
Thompson
Christopher C
CC
Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Ryou
Marvin
M
Soper
Nathaniel J
NJ
Hungess
Eric S
ES
Rothstein
Richard I
RI
Swanstrom
Lee L
LL
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine