A novel intracorporeal assembling robotic system for single-port laparoscopic surgery

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotics in Medicine
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) offers cosmetic benefits but presents ergonomic challenges for surgeons.
• Existing instruments partially address limitations, but robotics holds the potential for complete ergonomic solutions.
• The development of specialized robotic systems is crucial for advancing SPLS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel teleoperated robotic platform designed for single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS).
• To evaluate the usability and efficacy of the SPRINT robot in performing surgical tasks.
• To demonstrate the potential of robotic assistance in overcoming SPLS-related ergonomic restrictions.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SPRINT (Single-Port lapaRoscopy bImaNual roboT) system, a multiarm robot for bimanual interventions.
• Robotic arms are inserted via a single umbilical incision using a cylindrical introducer.
• Surgeons control the robot via a master-slave console, translating hand movements to end-effectors.

Main Results:

• Laboratory tests with experienced surgeons demonstrated a rapid learning curve for the SPRINT robot.
• Peg transfer task completion time decreased significantly, from 97s to 31s, with error rates dropping from 50% to 25%.
• Intracorporeal suturing, including needle passage and knot tying, was successfully completed by surgeons in under 314 seconds.

Conclusions:

• A novel surgical robot, SPRINT, has been developed and validated for SPLS.
• The SPRINT system demonstrates usability and efficacy, overcoming key limitations of SPLS.
• This robotic platform may represent the next generation of surgical robots for enhanced dexterity in SPLS.