Digital Surgery: Zurich Surgeon Remotely Controls Operation with Game Controller

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Faculty of Medicine have achieved a major milestone in medical technology with a successful teleoperated magnetic endoscopy procedure. This innovative surgery involved a remote-controlled device to conduct a biopsy on a swine model’s stomach wall.

The operation featured a unique collaboration: a clinician present in Hong Kong and a remote specialist stationed 9,300 kilometres away in Zurich. The Zurich-based expert used an advanced game controller to manage the digital surgery from an operator console.

This groundbreaking study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, highlights the potential of teleoperated technology to extend specialized surgical care to underserved regions where local expertise may be scarce. Dr. Shannon Melissa Chan, Assistant Professor at CU Medicine, emphasized that this technology not only facilitates remote surgical training and mentoring but also enables immediate diagnostic and treatment options, potentially improving outcomes for millions of patients globally.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to extend their work to human subjects, exploring further applications of tele-endoscopy beyond gastrointestinal procedures, including its use in neurovascular systems and fetal surgery. Professor Dr. Bradley Nelson of ETH Zurich anticipates that this technology will revolutionize multiple areas of medicine, enhancing accessibility and precision in healthcare.