Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Is the Human Brain Capable of Controlling Seven Degrees of Freedom?

BACKGROUND: Conventional rigid laparoscopic instruments offer five degrees of freedom (DOF). Robotic instruments add two independent DOFs allowing unconstrained directional steering. Several nonrobotic instruments have been developed with the additional DOFs, but with these devices, surgeon's wrist movements are not intuitively transmitted into tip movements. In this study, a new articulated instrument has been evaluated. The aim of the study was to compare learning curves and performances of conventional laparoscopic instruments, the da Vinci system and Steerable devices in a crossover study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 medical students without any laparoscopic experience were trained for 27 h to operate all of a rigid, a robotic, and a new Steerable instrument in a random order. Learning curves and ultimate experience scores were determined for each instrument. Strain in wrist and shoulders was assessed with a visual analog score.

RESULTS: Performing the suturing task with rigid and robot instruments required 4 h of training, compared with 6 h to master the Steerable instrument. After 9 h of training with each instrument, completing the complex suturing pattern required 662 ± 308 s with rigid instruments, 279 ± 90 s with the da Vinci system, and 279 ± 53 s with the Steerable instrument. Pain scores were significantly higher after using the rigid instruments compared with the Steerable instruments.

CONCLUSIONS: Transmission of torque and the presence of additional two DOFs in combination with reduced crosstalk significantly improved the instrument dexterity where the Steerable platform is concerned. Although the learning curve is longer, once mastered, it provides enhanced surgical freedom.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app