THEORETICAL CONCEPTS ON NEW METHODS IN SU RGICAL TECHNOLOGY - TELESURGERY

Manipulators developed in the USA (SATAVA) are designed to operate on soldiers at the front. Study groups in Tubingen and Karlsruhe have dev eloped manipulators to implement the qualities of open surgery, such a s sight, touch, and freedom of movement during endoscopic surgery. Art iculated joints inside the abdominal cavity enable high mobility; elec tronic aids permit intuitive control. The sensory information must be transferred back to the hand of the surgeon. All data are transferred and processed electronically. Prototypes from Karlsruhe already allow 100% mobility. Tactile sensors are being developed intensively. The ta rget, however, will take 5 years to reach. Spin-off developments exist for instrument holding, camera guiding and complex instruments. Compl ex endoscopic operations by one surgeon alone (solo-surgeon) are alrea dy possible. Ope rating steps can be performed with high precision and personnel costs can be saved.