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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
A Probing Device for Quantitatively Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissues during Arthroscopy
Published on: May 1, 2020
New device with force sensors for laparoscopic liver resection - investigation of grip force and histological damage
Yoichi Okuda1,2, Akihito Nakai3, Taiki Sato4
1Department of Surgery, Division of Gastroenterological and Hepatobiliary Surgery, and Organ Transplantation, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Introduction:
As the benefits of minimally invasive surgery are recognized, the rate of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is rapidly increasing. Liver tissue is fragile compared to tissue of the stomach and colon. In endoscopic and robotic surgery, sufficient tactile sensation is yet to be obtained. Therefore, it is necessary to measure and indicate the grip force of forceps during surgery. We developed a new device consisting of force sensors and investigated its grip force and the resulting histological damage to liver tissue.
Material And Methods:
We measured the grip force generated during laparoscopic surgery in pigs using the forceps with pressure sensors developed by us. Throughout the hepatectomy, we measured the grip force generated by the forceps in real time. We investigated the histological damage to the liver caused by using the forceps with different grip forces.
Results:
The subject produced a mean grip force of 1.75 N during the procedures. The maximum grip force was 3.38 N. By grasping the tissues of the liver with forceps, bleeding and destruction of the hepatic lobules were observed in a manner dependent on increasing grip force.
Conclusion:
The new device is necessary for preventing liver damage in laparoscopic hepatic resection.
