Objective During laparoscopic surgery tissue retraction is necessary for exposure of the operating field. Currently this is performed manually by grasping the tissue in laparoscopic forceps but could be performed automatically with an appropriate device. This would need to automatically detect when tissue is slipping from its grasp and react appropriately. Method Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric […]
Background: single port platforms and instrument are increasingly used for transanal surgery. In an effort to tackle some of the limitations and increase intraluminal flexibility, robotic integration could be a logical next step. Objective:To report on our initial experience with transanal endoscopic da Vinci surgery (TEdS) using a glove port on human cadavers. Methods: After […]
ObjectiveSeveral methods are currently used in the assessment of surgical performance. The majority depends on repeated expert review of an observed procedure. Sequitor allows identification of skilled motor behaviour using quantitative objective measures to provide additional performance characteristics, which may be advantageous during the acquisition of minimally invasive surgical skills. Description and MethodsA customized, novel […]
Objective 3D surgical imaging systems provide stereoscopic depth cues that are lost in conventional 2D display systems. Recent improvements in stereoscopic projection technology using passive polarising displays have significantly improved novice surgeon performance during the acquisition of minimally invasive surgical skills. This study aims identify if passive polarising 3D displays provide similar benefits for expert […]
House calls by physicians and physician extenders are time-consuming and have historically been poorly reimbursed. Nevertheless a number of factors are driving a resurgence in this form of patient-provider encounter. The burgeoning fields of mobile health technology, mobile communications and electronic medical records are converging to create new opportunities to leverage advances in a robust […]