Endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric lesions by using a Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER).

BACKGROUND: Performing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by using standard endoscopy platforms is technically challenging because of the equipment's lack of dexterity. OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of using the Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), a novel robotics-enhanced endosurgical system, to perform ESD. DESIGN: ESD was performed on simulated gastric lesions in 5 Erlangen porcine stomach models (ex vivo) and 5 live pigs (in vivo). Performance of ESD by using the MASTER was compared with that using the insulation-tipped (IT) diathermic knife. SETTING: SMART Laboratory, Advance Surgical Training Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore. SUBJECTS: Five Erlangen porcine stomach models and 5 pigs, 5 to 7 months old, each weighing about 35 kg. INTERVENTIONS: ESD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Lesion resection time, grasper and hook efficacy grade, completeness of resection, and presence of procedure-related perforation. RESULTS: In the Erlangen stomach models, 15 simulated lesions from the cardia, antrum, and body were removed en bloc (mean dimension, 37.4 x 26.5 mm) by electrocautery excision using the MASTER. The mean ESD time was 23.9 minutes (range 7-48 minutes). There was no difference in the dissection times of lesions at different locations (P = .449). In the live pigs, the MASTER took a mean of 16.2 minutes (range 3-29 minutes) to complete the ESD of 5 gastric lesions, whereas the IT diathermic knife took 18.6 minutes (range 9-34 minutes). There was no significant difference in the times taken (P = .708). All lesions were excised en bloc; the mean dimensions of lesions resected by the MASTER and the IT diathermic knife were 37.2 x 30.1 mm and 32.78 x 25.6 mm, respectively. The MASTER exhibited good grasping and cutting efficiency throughout. Surgical maneuvers were achieved with ease and precision. There was no incidence of excessive bleeding or stomach wall perforation. LIMITATIONS: Exploratory study with limited sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Performing ESD by using the MASTER is feasible.

Experiment on a novel user input for computer interface utilizing tongue input for the severely disabled.

PURPOSE: This paper introduces a novel passive tongue control and tracking device. The device is intended to be used by the severely disabled or quadriplegic person. METHOD: The main focus of this device when compared to the other existing tongue tracking devices is that the sensor employed is passive which means it requires no powered electrical sensor to be inserted into the user's mouth and hence no trailing wires. This haptic interface device employs the use of inductive sensors to track the position of the user's tongue. RESULT: The device is able perform two main PC functions that of the keyboard and mouse function. The results show that this device allows the severely disabled person to have some control in his environment, such as to turn on and off or control daily electrical devices or appliances; or to be used as a viable PC Human Computer Interface (HCI) by tongue control. CONCLUSION: The operating principle and set-up of such a novel passive tongue HCI has been established with successful laboratory trials and experiments. Further clinical trials will be required to test out the device on disabled persons before it is ready for future commercial development.