title: Flexible robotic endoscopy: current and original devices.
abstract: Two current major research topics concern the incorporation of flexible robotic endoscopy systems developed for natural-orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), primarily for the purpose of remote forceps operation, into endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and other flexible endoscopic treatments and the use of robots for the manipulation of flexible endoscopes themselves with the aim of enabling the remote insertion of colonoscopes, etc. However, there are still many challenges that remain to be addressed; the ideal robotic endoscope has not yet been realized. This article reviews the ongoing developments and our own efforts in the area of flexible robotic endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: a Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine , University of Occupational and Environmental Health , Kitakyusyu , Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kume
mesh_terms: D020685:Colonoscopes; D019723:Endoscopes; D000069916:Endoscopic Mucosal Resection; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments
keywords: Flexible robotic endoscopy; endoscopic operation robot (EOR); endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD); natural-orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)