"5G wireless + wired network" based multi-console robotic telesurgery accommodates to the complicated surgeries and various network infrastructure

Abstract

Robotic telesurgery is applying to more complicated operations. However, single-console robotic surgery and wired networks are inconvenient for intraoperative multidisciplinary collaboration. 5G wireless requires the setup of base stations. We proposed a new model for robotic telesurgery, utilizing multiple consoles and "5G wireless + wired network". In the study, the three-console robotic telesurgery was performed by Kangduo Surgical Robot-01. The patient cart and one surgeon console were in Liaoyang City Central Hospital; the other two consoles were in Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, approximately 700km away from the patient. The consoles in Beijing and Liaoyang were connected to the backbone network via 5G wireless and wired networks, respectively. In our study, the "5G wireless + wired network" based multi-console robotic telesurgery of left radical nephrectomy was performed successfully without intraoperative adverse event. The 3D video and signals from consoles were transmitted stably. The control of the robot from all consoles were consistent. The signal coverage was 100%, the average latency was 220ms without packet loss. In conclusion, multi-console robotic system is crucial for surgical safety, complicated telesurgery, and intraoperative teaching. The "5G wireless + wired network" model bears advantages of both networks, and is suitable for most telesurgeries.