Laparoscopic surgical device with modular end tools for real-time endomicroscopy and therapy.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, laparoscopic surgery attracts considerable attention for its distinct advantages owing to minimized invasiveness. However, traditional surgical instruments have a single function and lack the ability to provide high-resolution images for real-time tissue assessment. Thus, it remains a challenge to perform complex procedures with the traditional surgical instruments. In this paper, a novel laparoscopic surgical device for real-time endomicroscopy and therapy is proposed. The device is integrated with a visualization unit to provide endoscopic images in a constrained cavity for real-time observation. Moreover, modular end tools can be assembled and switched with the multi-DOF manipulator. The experimental results demonstrate that the surface-scanning tool can perform smooth scanning and obtain a large area mosaic of 6.99 mm2 in 40.2 s for tissue assessment. The spring-loaded forceps can generate an output force of 1.47 N to manipulate tissue. These experimental results demonstrate the potential value of the device for intraoperative endomicroscopy-guided surgery and robot-assisted surgery.