Doosan Robotics' laparoscopic surgical assistance solution, utilizing collaborative robots, has been successfully employed for the first time in an actual surgery, marking a significant step towards full-scale commercialization in the medical field.
Doosan Robotics announced on March 14 that its laparoscopic surgical assistance solution was utilized in a gallbladder removal surgery at Koo Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, and successfully completed the operation.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure wherein a 10mm endoscopic camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through the navel, and the gallbladder is removed by manipulating surgical tools.
A 1-centimeter incision is made in the skin to allow the entry and exit of surgical tools, while imaging devices and tools enabling the surgeon to observe the body's interior from the exterior are inserted through three to four incisions.
The laparoscopic surgical assistance solution employed in this instance was jointly developed by EROP, a system integration (SI) company specializing in medical devices, and Professor Sang-Rok Jin of Pusan National University's Department of Mechanical Engineering. This solution is based on Doosan Robotics' collaborative robot, equipped with an endoscopic camera.
The solution can bear a load of 3 kg and is fitted with joint torque sensors on each of the six axes of the collaborative robot, facilitating delicate and precise work. The robot can be programmed to optimize surgical movements and maneuver easily with a joystick, moving up and down, left and right, and zooming in and out of the screen.
The collaborative robot is expected to alleviate labor intensity at medical sites by assuming the laborious task of holding an endoscopic camera for prolonged periods, a task previously requiring two to three surgical assistants.
"With the laparoscopic surgical assistance solution utilizing the collaborative robot, we were able to complete the surgery in a sophisticated and safe manner, and discharge the patient without any special prognosis," said Dr. Koo Ja-il, who conducted the surgery. "In the future, it is anticipated that challenging surgeries such as colon cancer and rectal prolapse will be feasible, with numerous positive outcomes such as enhanced surgical precision, reduced operation time, and accelerated patient recovery."
"This marks the maiden utilization of a laparoscopic surgery assistance solution developed with domestic technology in the medical field," Said Ryu Jung-Hoon, CEO of Doosan Robotics. "We aspire for collaborative robots to be employed across various medical domains to enhance work efficiency and alleviate the labor intensity of medical personnel."
Doosan Robotics and EROP have provided laparoscopic surgical assistance solutions utilizing collaborative robots to Koo Hospital in Daegu and Min Hospital in Seoul, with plans for expansion into overseas markets such as the U.S. and Europe under consideration.
