Robotic apparatus for minimally invasive surgery
The Single-Port lapaRoscopy bImaNual roboT (SPRINT) is an highly dexterous tool for single port Surgery.
SPRINT comprises:
- An umbilical access port: a silicone trocar-like device that allows smooth insertion of the robot in the abdomen, panoramic vision system and gas insulation.
- Internal robotic platform (SPRINT): a bimanual 14 degrees of freedom (DOF) robot for performing surgery with embedded 3D stereoscopic vision system
- External robotic manipulator: a 4 DOF parallel robot for handling the SPRINT robot (alternatively an industrial robot can be used)
- The operating console incorporating the image of the operative field has intelligent features bridging the perceptual link between the surgeon and the microrobotic end effectors. In addition, haptic interfaces and augmented reality solutions are incorporated in the surgical console, thus enabling an effective and friendly interaction between the operator and the platforms/tools/tissue. Finally, advanced computer software enables the surgeon to execute the intended procedure ‘virtually’ (when needed in problematic cases) before actual performance
Applications and market size
Target surgical procedures feasible with the SPRINT roboti have been identified under key opinion leader surgeons supervision and using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) an evaluation of potential market size has been made. The ICD-9-CM, based on the World Health Organization's Ninth Revision, International Classification of Diseases, is the official system of assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures associated with hospital utilization in the United States and other countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, see Allegato - A).
The overall market is approximately 1.8M interventions per year in the US. Estimation is made for the countries where no data was available and the total plausible estimation of target surgical procedures account for 4.8 Million procedures per year.
