A novel robotic system for trans-anal surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A novel robotic system for trans-anal surgery
IRAS ID
217265
Contact name
Petros Giataganas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London - Research Governance Manager
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Trans-anal surgery is a minimally invasive technique for the removal of rectal lesions resulting in fewer complications and reduced mortality compared to traditional open and laparoscopic techniques. Trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery usually involves the bi-manual excision of early stage carcinomas in the insufflated rectum using binocular magnified vision. The procedure is challenging with current instrumentation as there is a lack of triangulation of the instruments once they have been placed in the back passage resulting in 'clashing' of the instruments inside the rectum and difficulties with adequate tissue handling and manipulation.
This study involves the use of a robotic system (called Micro-IGES robotic system) together with a novel port (the Micro-IGES Surgical port) and robotic arm (the Hamlyn Lightweight Robot Arm) designed to enable endoluminal tasks to be undertaken with significantly improved consistency and precision, through the use of advanced robotic instrumentation. Currently, the primary clinical target for the Micro-IGES device is the excision of lesions from within the rectum through a trans-anal approach. The Micro-IGES robotic system allows robotic bi-manual control of articulated instruments in a master-slave fashion, allowing the surgeon to operate in an ergonomically sound operating environment with three-dimensional view of the operating site.
The Micro-IGES Surgical port is intended to allow entry of surgical instruments while maintaining insufflation of the rectum in order to expand the workroom thus reducing obstructions during minimal invasive laparoscopic surgery.
The Hamlyn Lightweight Robot Arm is intended to provide a stable platform for endoscopic instrumentation used for trans-anal surgery while allowing positional flexibility to optimize instrumentation placement and operation.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0037
Date of REC Opinion
6 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion