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Single-handed controller reduces the workload of flexible endoscopy

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Abstract

The control of the conventional flexible endoscope is non-ergonomic and non-intuitive. A novel single-handed interface could reduce the experienced workload, without reducing current efficiency or effectiveness of endoscope manipulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the workload, efficiency and effectiveness of a single-handed controller in colonoscopy, in comparison to a bimanual controller and the conventional angulation wheels. Twenty-one inexperienced students performed colonoscopies on a computer simulator using either the single-handed controller with a joystick interface, a bimanual controller with a joystick interface or the conventional angulation wheels. Participants performed three sessions of colonoscopies. After each session, the experienced workload was evaluated using a seven-component absolute scoring scale. Efficiency of the procedure was evaluated by the cecal intubation time and total-used scope length. Effectiveness was evaluated by the percentage of bowel wall visualization. The total workload of the single-handed controller was lower compared to the conventional angulation wheels for all three sessions. The total workload of the bimanual controller was lower compared to the conventional angulation wheels in the second and third session and also lower compared to the single-handed controller in the third session. There was no significant difference between the three control interfaces in time efficiency, used scope length or visualization performance. Single-handed and bimanual controllers with a joystick interface are a feasible approach to reduce the workload of colonoscopy without reducing efficiency or effectiveness of endoscope manipulation.

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Notes

  1. Technical Medicine is a Master’s programme at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) where students integrate advanced technologies with medical sciences to improve patient care.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Departments of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of the Meander Medical Centre (Amersfoort, The Netherlands) and Ziekenhuisgroep Twente (Hengelo and Almelo) for their clinical input and DEMCON Advanced Mechatronics (Enschede, The Netherlands) for their technical support.

Conflict of interest

E. Rozeboom, Dr. Ir. J. Ruiter, Dr. Ir. M. Franken, M.D. M. Schwartz, Prof. Dr. Ir. S. Stramigioli and Prof. M.D. I. Broeders declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Esther D. Rozeboom, Stefano Stramigioli & Ivo A. M. J. Broeders

  2. DEMCON Advanced Mechatronics, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Jeroen G. Ruiter & Michel Franken

  3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

    Matthijs P. Schwartz

  4. Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

    Ivo A. M. J. Broeders

Authors
  1. Esther D. Rozeboom
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  2. Jeroen G. Ruiter
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  3. Michel Franken
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  4. Matthijs P. Schwartz
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  5. Stefano Stramigioli
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  6. Ivo A. M. J. Broeders
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Esther D. Rozeboom.

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Rozeboom, E.D., Ruiter, J.G., Franken, M. et al. Single-handed controller reduces the workload of flexible endoscopy. J Robotic Surg 8, 319–324 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-014-0473-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-014-0473-0

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