Development of automatic acquisition system of surgical-instrument informantion in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgey

To compensate for severe shortage of scrub nurses, we have been developing the scrub nurse robot (SNR) system that is capable of functioning as a skilled human scrub nurse, who is able to accurately predict which surgical instrument a surgeon will request next and to give it to the surgeon without any delay. In order to achieve this accurate prediction, we have been acquiring surgical-instrument information in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery (ELS). To facilitate the acquisition, we developed an automatic acquisition system of surgical-instrument information (AASSI) using RFID technology, and evaluated it. The main components of the RFID hardware were an RFID antenna connecting to a trocar cannula and an RFID tag attaching to a surgical instrument. The AASSI detected insertion of the tagged instrument into the RFID-antenna trocar cannula and its extraction as well because the insertion started RF communication between the tag and antenna and the extraction ended the communication. However, electrocautery used frequently in ELS can interrupt the RF communication, thereby resulting in false recognition of insertion and extraction. We investigated and specified the conditions under which the electromagnetic interference occurred. Next, to prevent such incorrect recognition, we proposed a software-based solution, developed an algorithm against electromagnetic interference and verified that it worked in a laboratory setting. In conclusion, the AASSI is able to facilitate acquisition of intraoperative information on surgical instruments and also contribute to creation of extremely precise and accurate operative records.