On the way to the automatic endoscope

All endoscopic surgeons have a vision of an existing endoscope that automatically recognizes, what a surgeon wants to recognize. This motivation is used as the base of three years running project conducted by TU Munich, ICCAS Leipzig and is supported by DFG. At the IRDC (cooperation partner of the ICCAS and TU Munich) one of the last laboratory tests took place before using the system in the OR.

The endoscope is guided by a small robot (so called micro-manipulator), which, on the other hand, receives information about the actual position of the instrument through signals of the navigation system (SMGS). If the instrument moves in the hand of a surgeon and the foot switch is activated, the endoscope follows the tip of the instrument in the correct distance without causing an injury. This project cooperates with KARL STORZ initiative “Surgery by wire”, with the aim to establish electronic control system of instruments in the OR.

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