In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the world’s first remote-controlled magnetic endoscopy was performed from 9300 kilometre away. Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have succeeded for the first time in using remote control to perform a magnetic endoscopy on a live pig. The researchers controlled the probe from Zurich while the animal was on the operating table in Hong Kong.
Alexandre Mesot, a doctoral student at ETH Zurich, successfully performed Operating from a lab in Zurich, Mesot manipulated a PlayStation controller to guide an endoscope inside the stomach of a live, anesthetized pig in an operating theatre located over 9,300 kilometres away in Hong Kong. This milestone represents a significant leap forward in the field of teleoperated surgery.
SEAMLESS OPERATION ACROSS CONTINENTS
At 3:00 AM in Zurich, Mesot began the delicate procedure by remotely controlling a 4-millimeter-thick probe inside the pig’s stomach. The probe responded to his commands with only a 300-millisecond delay, showcasing the precision of the system. The probe’s camera transmitted live images to Zurich, allowing Mesot to navigate the pig’s stomach, examine the stomach wall, and take tissue samples using a tiny gripper arm. The entire procedure was supported by surgeons in Hong Kong, ensuring safety and accuracy.
This historic event, detailed in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, marks the first successful application of remote-controlled magnetic endoscopy. The procedure’s success hinged on two critical components: a magnetic navigation system developed by ETH Zurich and a secure, high-speed internet connection linking Zurich and Hong Kong.
SAFETY MEASURES: ENSURING PRECISION AND CARE
Before the remote procedure began, extensive safety tests were conducted. A team from ETH Zurich’s Multi-Scale Robotics Lab and surgeons from The Chinese University of Hong Kong tested the magnetic endoscope in the operating theatre. The Hong Kong surgeons inserted the endoscope through the pig’s mouth into its stomach, after which Mesot took over the navigation from Zurich.
The endoscope was controlled by Navion, a surgical navigation system developed by Professor Bradley Nelson and his team at ETH Zurich. Navion’s magnetic field allows the endoscope to bend in any direction, making it more manoeuvrable and less invasive than traditional endoscopic devices. This flexibility is crucial for complex procedures such as retroflexion, where the endoscope bends 180 degrees inside the stomach to inspect its entrance.
ADVANTAGES OF MAGNETIC ENDOSCOPY: REDUCING STRESS AND EXPANDING ACCESS
The innovative magnetic endoscope offers several advantages over conventional devices. Its smaller size allows for insertion through the nose rather than the oesophagus, reducing patient discomfort. Patients can remain awake during the procedure, providing real-time feedback to the medical team. This approach is especially beneficial for children, who often require smaller instruments.
The potential applications of this technology are vast. As Professor Nelson notes, teleoperated endoscopy could revolutionize minimally invasive procedures in the gastrointestinal tract, such as cancer screening. This technology could also bring specialized care to remote areas where local expertise is lacking.
LOOKING AHEAD: THE FUTURE OF TELEOPERATED SURGERY
The success of this remote procedure opens the door to new possibilities in teleoperated surgery. The next goal for Professor Nelson’s team is to perform a similar procedure on a human patient. The potential for this technology to revolutionize healthcare is enormous, particularly in areas where access to specialized care is limited.
Dr. Shannon Melissa Chan, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, highlights the broader implications of teleoperated endoscopy. “This technology can be used not only for training surgeons but also for providing diagnostic and surgical care in remote areas,” says Dr. Chan. “We could even provide trained nurses with instructions from a distance on how to carry out the procedures.”