"Collaborative Robots Assist Laparoscopic Surgery"… Doosan Robotics Plans Overseas Expansion

Cooperative robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has been successfully performed.

Doosan Robotics announced on the 14th that their laparoscopic surgery assistance solution was successfully utilized in a cholecystectomy performed at Daegu Gu Hospital on the 12th.

On the 12th, a laparoscopic surgery assistance solution using Doosan Robotics' collaborative robot was deployed and performing its task during a gallbladder removal surgery at Daegu Gu Hospital. (Photo by Doosan Robotics)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves inserting a 10mm endoscopic camera through the navel into the abdominal cavity and manipulating surgical instruments to remove the gallbladder.

The laparoscopic surgery assistance solution was jointly developed by Doosan Robotics’ collaborative robot, medical device specialized SI company Irop, and Professor Jin Sang-rok’s team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University. The collaborative robot is equipped with an endoscopic camera.

This solution can withstand a load of 3 kg and is equipped with joint torque sensors on each of the six axes of the robot, enabling delicate and precise operations. Additionally, the surgical path can be optimized through programming, and the joystick allows easy movement up, down, left, and right, as well as zooming in and out of the screen.

It is expected that the collaborative robot will replace the strenuous task of 2 to 3 surgical assistants holding the endoscopic camera for extended periods, thereby reducing labor intensity in medical settings.

Dr. Gu Ja-il, who performed the surgery, said, “The laparoscopic surgery assistance solution using the collaborative robot allowed us to complete the surgery precisely and safely, and the patient was discharged without any special complications. We anticipate that it will also be applicable to high-difficulty surgeries such as colorectal cancer and rectal prolapse, and expect many positive effects including improved surgical quality, reduced operation time, and enhanced patient recovery.”

Doosan Robotics and Irop have supplied the collaborative robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery solution to Daegu Gu Hospital and Seoul Min Hospital, and are considering expanding into overseas markets such as the United States and Europe in the future.

Ryu Jeong-hoon, CEO of Doosan Robotics, stated, “This is the first case of a laparoscopic surgery assistance solution developed with domestic technology being utilized in a medical setting. We hope that the use of collaborative robots in various medical environments will improve work efficiency and help reduce the labor intensity of medical personnel.”