Feasibility and Usefulness of a Joystick-Guided Robotic Scope Holder (Soloassist) in Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The Soloassist® system is a joystick-guided robotic scope holder. We evaluated the efficacy of Soloassist in laparoscopic surgery. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We investigated operative time, blood loss, set-up time, length of hospital stay, and the number of participating surgeons in laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases before and after the introduction of Soloassist. Furthermore, we evaluated these factors in each group of 20 elective and emergency cholecystectomy cases by single surgeon after matching their background. To evaluate the performance level of operating Soloassist, we divided the operative field into three areas. Then we counted the frequency of energy device activation in initially 10 cases by a single surgical resident and observed its change. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The number of participating surgeons was significantly less and postoperative hospital days were fewer in the Soloassist group. There was no significant difference between set-up time and blood loss both in elective and emergency cases. The total number of energy device activations and that in the dangerous area decreased in accordance with the experience. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Considering our results and previous reports, the combination use of an ideal active scope holder and a commercially available 3D scope is currently considered the best approach in laparoscopic surgery. In the near future, development of active scope holders might play an important role in laparoscopic surgery.

Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Colon Cancer Surgery Using a Joystick-Guided Endoscope Holder (Soloassist II) or a Human Assistant

“…These holders had to be moved manually, and surgeons had to interrupt procedures to move the endoscopes [11, 12]. Therefore, active endoscope holders that can be moved using a surgeon’s voice, infrared signals, or a joystick were developed so that surgeons do not need to remove their hands from instruments [18]. One of the first commercially available active endoscope holder systems was the AESOP (Computer Motion, Sunnyvale, CA, USA).…”

“…Operation time and LOHS were not significantly different between the HA and SA groups (Table 2). In a previous study of cholecystectomy performed using the Soloassist, operation time was significantly shorter in the SA group than in the HA group (HA: 131.4 ± 57.8 vs. SA: 107.2 ± 47.5 minutes, P < 0.01) [18]. In another study of Soloassist cholecystectomy, the operation time of the SA group was longer than that of the HA group (HA: median 90 vs. SA: median 104 minutes, P = 0.001) [15].…”

Intelligent Information-Guided Robotic Surgery

“…Freehand (Freehand 2010 Ltd., UK) [17] is also mounted on bed. SoloAssist (AKTORmed, Germany) [18], MTG-H100 (Hiwin Technologies Corp, Taiwan), and EMARO (Riverfield Inc., Japan) stands on the floor. Various control methods are employed, such as voice, head movement, and joystick.…”

Transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery using robotic scope holder: Our initial experiences

“…[ 11 ] It has total six joints: three joints which are controlled by computer, one is controlled by manual and two act as a gimbal joint following the movement of the main body. [ 12 ] The manipulator is consisted of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic segments which are controlled by a joystick. [ 13 ] The main body of Soloassist can be simply installed to the side rail of operating table using quick-coupling device, and joystick is designed to fit and easily positioned to almost commercially available laparoscopic instruments using a clamp mount [ Figure 1 ].…”