title: Development of a novel endoscopic manipulation system: The Endoscopic operation robot.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and evaluate the endoscopic operation robot (EOR). The EOR is a robot system designed specifically for remote manipulation of the scope during gastrointestinal endoscopy by a seated endoscopist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total colonoscopy examinations using a colonoscopy training model were performed compared conventional insertion by manual manipulation and remote-controlled insertion, using the EOR. The author investigated the time taken for each of the 50 examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median insertion time (in minutes) for each 10 examinations (EOR vs manual manipulation) was 73.70 ± 25.37 vs 3.77 ± 1.34 in the first group, 38.40 ± 6.24 vs 3.40 ± 0.97 in the second group, 27.6 ± 4.01 vs 2.70 ± 0.95 in the third group, 23.8 ± 3.65 vs 3.10 ± 0.88 in the fourth group, and 22.9 ± 5.02 vs 2.60 ± 1.08 in the fifth group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggested the possibility of the clinical application of the EOR.
authors.affiliation: Keiichiro Kume, K's Device; Laboratory for Endoscopy and Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kume
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugihara
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shinngai