In a revolutionary success, researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and ETH Zurich successfully performed remote magnetic endoscopy on a live pig. This process was carried out from Zurich, even though the pig was 5,778 miles (9,300 km) away in Hong Kong.
A reliable, fast internet connection and cutting-edge magnetic navigation technology allowed for the successful remote operation. The ETH Zurich-developed latter was crucial to the success of the treatment because it had a magnetically controlled endoscope.
With this endoscopic method, the ETH Zurich and CUHK researchers executed the first remotely controlled endoscopy on a living person. CUHK surgeons assisted in the operating room while keeping an eye on the process in real-time. The team tested the probe locally before the surgery started, and eventually, an expert in Zurich took over its navigation.
The Navion device is a surgical navigation tool that works by creating a magnetic field to operate the endoscope. Bradley Nelson and his colleagues at ETH Zurich developed it. The endoscope is smaller and more maneuverable than conventional instruments because of its magnetic head, which bends in any direction.
“Not only can the endoscope be bent in any direction thanks to its magnetic head; it’s also smaller and easier to maneuver than conventional devices,” explained Alexandre Mesot, a doctoral student who controlled the procedure from Zurich.
WebSocket communication protocol enabled real-time data transfer between the robotic system in Hong Kong and the control panel in Zurich for remote operation. The robotic setup was connected to the operating bed, which was positioned close to the server computer, by cables. This allowed for uninterrupted interaction between the portable Navion device and the magnetic endoscope.
Shannon Melissa Chan, Assistant Professor at CUHK, noted, “Teleoperated endoscopy can be used not only for training surgeons but also for providing diagnostic and surgical care in remote areas, especially in places where there’s a lack of local expertise.”
The flexibility of the magnetic endoscope was highlighted during the procedure when Mesot performed a retroflection in the pig’s stomach, bending the device 180 degrees to examine the stomach entrance. Researchers have demonstrated that this technology allows for the remote control of endoscopes with dexterity comparable to standard devices. The smaller size of the endoscope also means it can be inserted through the nose in humans, reducing the need for full sedation and making it particularly suitable for use in children.
“There’s a lot of potential in this technology. Here I’m thinking of minimally invasive pr
ocedures in the gastrointestinal tract, such as cancer screening,” said Nelson, highlighting the future possibilities of this pioneering technology.
