Eye Explorer: A robotic endoscope holder for eye surgery.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Robotic Surgery
• Surgical Instrumentation

Background:

• Manual endoscope handling in ophthalmic surgery limits surgeon dexterity.
• The need for improved instrument control in minimally invasive eye procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Eye Explorer, a robotic endoscope holder designed to assist ophthalmic surgeons.
• To evaluate the Eye Explorer's performance against engineering and clinical requirements for eye surgery.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Eye Explorer robotic endoscope holder.
• Assessment of device functionality, including force requirements, visual field, and stability.
• Comparison of external forces and operation time with manual endoscope handling.

Main Results:

• The Eye Explorer meets engineering and clinical standards for eye surgery.
• It operates with low manual force (<0.5 N) and provides wide viewing angles (118° horizontal, 97° vertical).
• The device reduces external force on the eye by over 15% and does not increase procedure time.

Conclusions:

• The Eye Explorer enables dual-hand operation, enhancing endoscopic eye surgery.
• This robotic system facilitates successful surgical procedures by improving surgeon control and safety.