Endoscopic Robot for Sinus Surgery

Sinus Surgery Endoscopic Robot Combining a 5-DOF Robot Arm with a Wire-Driven Articulated Endoscope

This technology is a multi-jointed robotic system for sinus surgery. The 5-DOF robot arm mechanism transports and supports a flexible endoscope unit, while an internal wire-driven mechanism controls the articulation angle of the endoscope tip, automating the securing and visualization of the surgical field.

Existing rigid endoscopes suffer from blind spots, while flexible endoscopes face limitations in bending angles and stability, forcing surgeons to manually adjust positions while simultaneously operating surgical tools, which creates significant operational challenges.

This technology utilizes a 5-DOF motion unit (vertical/horizontal movement and rotation) to precisely position and secure the endoscope. By incorporating a ball-screw-based advancement mechanism and a wire-driven system, it establishes an automated platform that actively controls the articulation angle of the endoscope tip. Applicable to sinus surgery, endoscopic procedures, and medical automation, it enhances surgical visibility and precision by automatically controlling endoscope positioning and bending angles.

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Key Features:

• Flexible endoscope unit designed for insertion into the nasal cavity to observe the sinuses
• Motion unit for moving and rotating the flexible endoscope unit, and a control unit for managing the motion unit's operation
• Flexible endoscope unit structure comprising a distal tool section, an articulating section behind the tool section, and a support section behind the articulating section
• Detection unit for sensing the patient's nostrils and sinus positions, and a calculation unit that computes these coordinates and transmits them to the control unit