Task analysis of laparoscopic camera control schemes.

Background: Minimally invasive surgeries rely on laparoscopic camera views to guide the procedure. Traditionally, an expert surgical assistant operates the camera. In some cases, a robotic system is used to help position the camera, but the surgeon is required to direct all movements of the system.

Towards an autonomous robot for camera control during laparoscopic surgery.

Introduction: During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon currently must instruct a human camera operator or a robotic arm to move the camera. This process is distracting, and the camera is not always placed in an ideal location. To mitigate these problems, we have developed a test platform that tracks laparoscopic instruments and automatically moves a camera with no explicit human direction.

Supplemental wide field-of-view monitor improves performance in surgical telerobotic movement time.

Background: This study investigates the effect of a supplemental wide field-of-view (FOV) monitor on performance at high magnifications where the benefits of robotic surgery have greater importance.

Methods: Ten surgically naïve participants performed a simple aimed movement task under two different monitor conditions. The task is intended to emulate the need to locate an instrument outside the surgeon's FOV and return it to a 'home' position without the need to zoom.