3-D robotic tele-surgery and training over next generation wireless networks

The latest advances on robotic surgery enable the performance of many surgical procedures by utilizing minimally invasive techniques. In particular, recent 3-D endoscopes have improved the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Based on these advances, performing or visualizing in real-time surgical procedures at a distance can be envisaged. In this paper, we present a performance evaluation of 3-D robotic tele-surgery and training over next generation wireless networks, namely wireless networks based on the long term evolution (LTE) 3GPP standard. Different scheduling strategies are compared and results are analyzed in term of the resulting quality of experience (QoE) for the surgeon.