title: Foot-controlled robotic-enabled endoscope holder for endoscopic sinus surgery: A cadaveric feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of a unique prototype foot-controlled robotic-enabled endoscope holder (FREE) in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using human cadavers, we investigated the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of the robotic endoscope holder in performing endoscopic sinus surgery with two hands in five cadaver heads, mimicking a single nostril three-handed technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FREE robot is relatively easy to use. Setup was quick, taking less than 3 minutes from docking the robot at the head of the bed to visualizing the middle meatus. The unit is also relatively small, takes up little space, and currently has four degrees of freedom. The learning curve for using the foot control was short. The use of both hands was not hindered by the presence of the endoscope in the nasal cavity. The tremor filtration also aided in the smooth movement of the endoscope, with minimal collisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FREE endoscope holder in an ex-vivo cadaver test corroborated the feasibility of the robotic prototype, which allows for a two-handed approach to surgery equal to a single nostril three-handed technique without the holder that may reduce operating time. Further studies will be needed to evaluate its safety profile and use in other areas of endoscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA. Laryngoscope, 126:566-569, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Jason Y K
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navarro-Alarcon
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Weiyang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, United Christian Hospital, Kowloon East Cluster, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dennis L Y
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Yun-hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: Michael C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Robotic surgical procedures; endoscopes; paranasal sinus; robotics