ETH Zurich and Hong Kong Researchers Achieve World’s First Remote-Controlled Magnetic Endoscopy

ETH Zurich and Hong Kong Researchers Achieve World’s First Remote-Controlled Magnetic Endoscopy

(IN BRIEF) Researchers from ETH Zurich and The Chinese University of Hong Kong have successfully performed the first remote-controlled magnetic endoscopy on a live pig, with the procedure being operated from Zurich while the animal was in Hong Kong. This groundbreaking achievement, enabled by a secure internet connection and a magnetic navigation system, demonstrates the potential for teleoperated medical procedures, especially in remote areas lacking specialized expertise.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZURICH, 26-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a remarkable leap for telemedicine, a team of researchers from ETH Zurich and The Chinese University of Hong Kong has successfully conducted the world’s first remote-controlled magnetic endoscopy. The procedure, performed on a live pig in Hong Kong while being controlled from Zurich, demonstrates the cutting-edge potential of remote surgical technology.

The achievement was made possible by a secure, high-speed internet connection and an innovative magnetic navigation system developed by ETH Zurich. This system allows for precise manipulation of a magnetically guided endoscope, which offers greater flexibility and reduced patient stress compared to traditional methods. The smaller, more maneuverable endoscope also opens up new possibilities for minimally invasive procedures, including those in pediatric care.

Local surgeons in Hong Kong supported the remote operation, which underscores the growing capabilities of teleoperated medical procedures. This breakthrough paves the way for future applications in remote diagnostics and surgery, particularly in areas where access to specialized medical expertise is limited.

The research teams are optimistic about the potential of this technology to transform the field of gastrointestinal surgery, with future goals including minimally invasive cancer screenings and broader applications in telemedicine.

Alexandre Mesot completed his B.Sc. in mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich and specialized in biomedical devices for his M.Sc. His master thesis dealt with a magnetically controlled laser probe for eye surgery. Since 2020 he is a PhD student at the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL).

Reference

Mesot A, Mattille M, Boehler Q, Schmid N, Lyttle S, Heemeyer F, Chan SM, Chiu PWY, Nelson B, Teleoperated Magnetic Endoscopy: A Case Study and Perspective, Advanced Intelligent Systems, 18 August 2024, doi: external page10.1002/aisy.202400522

Media Contact:

Alexandre Mesot
doctoral student at the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab der ETH Zurich
phone: +41 76 504 0124
email: amesot@student.ethz.ch

ETH Zurich Media Relations:
phone: +41 44 632 41 41
email: christoph.elhardt@hk.ethz.ch

Media and Communications:
Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
phone: +852 3505 4375
email: med_media@cuhk.edu.hk

SOURCE: ETH Zurich