Fabrication and application of continuous douche for Da Vinci surgical robot arm

The use of robotic surgery in hospitals is becoming increasingly widespread.

This research was performed to design a continuous douche for surgical robotic arm operated instruments and evaluate its use.

A continuous irrigator was designed for robotic arm operated surgical instruments. A total of 240 recovered robotic-arm instruments were selected from the Disinfection Supply Center of our hospital. These were divided into two groups according to their recycling order, with single number instruments in the control group and even number instruments in the experimental group. Each group included 120 pieces. In the experimental group, continuous douching was used for perfusion and soaking, while control group instruments were infused and soaked using a 50 mL syringe. Data on cleaning quality, accuracy of perfusion tool injection volume, incidence of liquid reverse osmosis during injection and washing, and product satisfaction were collected for both groups.

The qualified manipulator cleaning rate and satisfaction with perfusion tools were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and incidence of liquid reverse osmosis was lower in the experimental group than in the control group.

The self-made continuous perfusion device improved the instrument cleaning efficacy of the robotic surgical arm, accuracy of injection volume, and product satisfaction.