scholarly journals A low-cost wireless endoscope camera: a preliminary report

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lazarus ◽  
M. Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Video Transmission ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Battery Life ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
Constrained Environments ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background Technology currently used for surgical endoscopy was developed and is manufactured in high-income economies. The cost of this equipment makes technology transfer to resource constrained environments difficult. We aimed to design an affordable wireless endoscope to aid visualisation during rigid endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The initial prototype aimed to replicate a 4-mm lens used in rigid cystoscopy. Methods Focus was placed on using open-source resources to develop the wireless endoscope to significantly lower the cost and make the device accessible for resource-constrained settings. An off the shelf miniature single-board computer module was used because of its low cost (US$10) and its ability to handle high-definition (720p) video. Open-source Linux software made monitor mode (“hotspot”) wireless video transmission possible. A 1280 × 720 pixel high-definition tube camera was used to generate the video signal. Video is transmitted to a standard laptop computer for display. Bench testing included latency of wireless digital video transmission. Comparison to industry standard wired cameras was made including weight and cost. The battery life was also assessed. Results In comparison with industry standard cystoscope lens, wired camera, video processing unit and light source, the prototype costs substantially less. (US$ 230 vs 28 000). The prototype is light weight (184 g), has no cables tethering and has acceptable battery life (of over 2 h, using a 1200 mAh battery). The camera transmits video wirelessly in near real time with only imperceptible latency of < 200 ms. Image quality is high definition at 30 frames per second. Colour rendering is good, and white balancing is possible. Limitations include the lack of a zoom. Conclusion The novel wireless endoscope camera described here offers equivalent high-definition video at a markedly reduced cost to contemporary industry wired units and could contribute to making minimally invasive surgery possible in resource-constrained environments.

scholarly journals 3D Laparoscopic Monitors

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. MEI.S13342
Author(s):  
Francesca Destro ◽  
Noemi Cantone ◽  
Mario Lima
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Recent Introduction ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
New Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a relatively new surgery comprising various procedures performed with special miniaturized instruments and imaging reproduction systems. Technological advances have made MIS an efficient, safe, and applicable tool for pediatric surgeons with unquestionable advantages. The recent introduction of three-dimensional (3D) high definition systems has been advocated in order to overcome some of the problems related to standard MIS visual limitations. This short paper recapitulates the necessity to minimize MIS visualization limitations and reports the characteristics of new laparoscopic 3D systems.

scholarly journals Cost-efficient inter-robot delivery for resource-constrained and interdependent multi-robot schedules

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 172988141982804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Chen ◽  
Xinjun Mao ◽  
Shuo Yang ◽  
Qiuzhen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Task Execution ◽  
Robot System ◽  
Sequential Execution ◽  
Constrained Environments ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Multi Robot

A multi-robot system in resource-constrained environments needs to obtain resources for task execution. Typically, resources can be fetched from fixed stations, which, however, can be costly and even impossible when fixed stations are unavailable, depleted or distant from task execution locations. We present a method that allows robots to acquire urgently required resources from those robots with superfluous residual resources, by conducting rendezvouses with these robots. We consider a scenario where tasks are organised into a schedule on each robot for sequential execution, with cross-schedule dependencies for inter-robot collaboration. We design an algorithm to systematically generate such rendezvouses for entire multi-robot system to increase the proportion of tasks whose resource demands are satisfied. We also design an algorithm that periodically reallocates tasks among robots to improve the cost-efficiency of schedules. Our experiment shows the synergetic effectiveness of both algorithms, when fixed stations are unavailable and all resources are fetched through inter-robot delivery. We also investigate the effectiveness of inter-robot delivery in scenarios where fixed stations are existent but distant from the locations of tasks.

Carbon nanotube/glycerol embedded low cost flexible sensor for large deflection sensing of continuum manipulators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAPTAK BHATTACHERJEE ◽  
Sananda Chatterjee ◽  
Subhasis Bhaumik
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Large Deflection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Continuum Robots ◽  
Angular Deflection ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Large deflection sensing is highly crucial for proper positioning and control of continuum robots during robot assisted minimally invasive surgery. Existing techniques suffer from eletromagnetic noise susceptibility, harmful radiation exposure, limited range, bio-incompatibility and necessity of expensive instruments. In the present study, we propose a Multi-Walled Carbon Nano-Tube (MWCNT)/polyglycerol based low cost, flexible and biocompatible sensor which could allow safer, faster and accurate angular deflection measurement of continuum robots for biomedical applications. Experimental results demonstrate that the sensor is stretchable upto 100% , provides a gauge factor upto 11.65, have response time around 8 ms, durability of -0.14% for cyclic loading and unloading and show very small creep upto ±0.0008 ( ±2.88%). Furthermore, the sensor can measure continuum robot deflection upto ±150 o with a sensitivity of 666.67 ohms/degree, with a maximum error of 1.67% and maximum hysteresis of 1.41%. Thus, wide range, low cost, fast response, and biocompatibility justify the potential of the proposed sensor for large deflection sensing of continuum robots during robot assisted minimally invasive surgery.

Evaluating minimally invasive surgery training using low-cost mechanical simulations

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Adrales ◽  
U.B. Chu ◽  
D.B. Witzke ◽  
M.B. Donnelly ◽  
D. Hoskins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Surgery Training

scholarly journals Clinical study of transcanal closure of tympanic membrane perforations using a collagen sponge

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (S2) ◽  
pp. S21-S26 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tamae ◽  
S Komune
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Clinical Study ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Collagen Sponge ◽  
Closure Rate ◽  
Tympanic Membrane Perforations ◽  
Initial Surgery

AbstractMaterials and methods:We used an artificial dermis (Terdermis®), which is an atero-collagen sponge covered with a sheet of silicon.Patients:Nineteen ears of 17 patients with perforation of the tympanic membrane under various conditions, including large and wet perforations, underwent operation using this collagen sponge.Results:The success rate of closure after the initial surgery was 8/19. The overall success rate of closure after initial and re-operation was 14/19. The success rate of closure was 12/14 for small-sized perforations, 1/4 for middle-sized perforations and 1/1 for a large-sized perforation. Middle- and large-sized perforations required multiple surgeries. The success rate of closure was 11/11 for dry perforations, 3/4 for perforations with light otorrhoea and 0/4 for perforations with extensive otorrhoea.Conclusion:This surgery is a low-cost and minimally invasive surgery and has a high closure rate. This surgery is effective on small-sized, dry perforations although it can also close middle- and large-sized dry perforations.

scholarly journals Use of a Low-Cost Portable 3D Virtual Reality Gesture-Mediated Simulator for Training and Learning Basic Psychomotor Skills in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Development and Content Validity Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Alvarez-Lopez ◽  
Marcelo Fabián Maina ◽  
Francesc Saigí-Rubió
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulator Training ◽  
Validity Evidence ◽  
Psychomotor Skills ◽  
Likert Score

BACKGROUND Simulation in virtual environments has become a new paradigm for surgeon training in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, this technology is expensive and difficult to access. OBJECTIVE This study aims first to describe the development of a new gesture-based simulator for learning skills in MIS and, second, to establish its fidelity to the criterion and sources of content-related validity evidence. METHODS For the development of the gesture-mediated simulator for MIS using virtual reality (SIMISGEST-VR), a design-based research (DBR) paradigm was adopted. For the second objective, 30 participants completed a questionnaire, with responses scored on a 5-point Likert scale. A literature review on the validity of the MIS training-VR (MIST-VR) was conducted. The study of fidelity to the criterion was rated using a 10-item questionnaire, while the sources of content-related validity evidence were assessed using 10 questions about the simulator training capacity and 6 questions about MIS tasks, and an iterative process of instrument pilot testing was performed. RESULTS A <i>good enough</i> prototype of a gesture-based simulator was developed with metrics and feedback for learning psychomotor skills in MIS. As per the survey conducted to assess the fidelity to the criterion, all 30 participants felt that most aspects of the simulator were adequately realistic and that it could be used as a tool for teaching basic psychomotor skills in laparoscopic surgery (Likert score: 4.07-4.73). The sources of content-related validity evidence showed that this study’s simulator is a reliable training tool and that the exercises enable learning of the basic psychomotor skills required in MIS (Likert score: 4.28-4.67). CONCLUSIONS The development of gesture-based 3D virtual environments for training and learning basic psychomotor skills in MIS opens up a new approach to low-cost, portable simulation that allows ubiquitous learning and preoperative warm-up. Fidelity to the criterion was duly evaluated, which allowed a good enough prototype to be achieved. Content-related validity evidence for SIMISGEST-VR was also obtained.

scholarly journals Use of a Low-Cost Portable 3D Virtual Reality Simulator for Psychomotor Skill Training in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Task Metrics and Score Validity (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Alvarez-Lopez ◽  
Marcelo Fabián Maina ◽  
Fernando Arango ◽  
Francesc Saigí-Rubió
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Psychomotor Skills ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

BACKGROUND The high cost and low availability of virtual reality simulators in surgical specialty training programs in low- and middle-income countries make it necessary to develop and obtain sources of validity for new models of low-cost portable simulators that enable ubiquitous learning of psychomotor skills in minimally invasive surgery. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to obtain validity evidence for relationships to other variables, internal structure, and consequences of testing for the task scores of a new low-cost portable simulator mediated by gestures for learning basic psychomotor skills in minimally invasive surgery. This new simulator is called SIMISGEST-VR (Simulator of Minimally Invasive Surgery mediated by Gestures - Virtual Reality). METHODS In this prospective observational validity study, the authors looked for multiple sources of evidence (known group construct validity, prior videogaming experience, internal structure, test-retest reliability, and consequences of testing) for the proposed SIMISGEST-VR tasks. Undergraduate students (n=100, reference group), surgical residents (n=20), and experts in minimally invasive surgery (n=28) took part in the study. After answering a demographic questionnaire and watching a video of the tasks to be performed, they individually repeated each task 10 times with each hand. The simulator provided concurrent, immediate, and terminal feedback and obtained the task metrics (time and score). From the reference group, 29 undergraduate students were randomly selected to perform the tasks 6 months later in order to determine test-retest reliability. RESULTS Evidence from multiple sources, including strong intrarater reliability and internal consistency, considerable evidence for the hypothesized consequences of testing, and partial confirmation for relations to other variables, supports the validity of the scores and the metrics used to train and teach basic psychomotor skills for minimally invasive surgery via a new low-cost portable simulator that utilizes interaction technology mediated by gestures. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained provided multiple sources of evidence to validate SIMISGEST-VR tasks aimed at training novices with no prior experience and enabling them to learn basic psychomotor skills for minimally invasive surgery.

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