Solo Assist II
The Solo Assist II is an Intelligent Assistance System for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The intuitive robotic arm is designed for use in Laparoscopic and other Minimally Invasive surgery that use a trocar to provide surgical access to enter the body. Specialities include but are not limited to; General, Gynaecology, Urology, Cardio- Thoracic and Orthopaedic surgery.
The Solo Assist II is an intuitive system controlled directly by the surgeon. The surgical assistant is usually required to hold and guide the endoscope and camera, often for long periods of time.
This can lead to fatigue and involuntary movement of the endoscope, creating a poor quality image and conditions within the surgical field. The Solo Assist II can help alleviate these problems by providing an alternative. Solo Assist II frees up the surgical assistant by holding and moving the Endoscope via a Joystick or a voice controlled headset, resulting in a stable, shake free image, unaffected by fatigue.
The benefits of the Solo Assist II are:
- Precise endoscopic positioning within a unique range of movement
- Simple and intuitive operation with a joystick, additional manual control or optional wireless
- joystick
- Stable positioning of the endoscope to obtain a steady image
- Immediately reusable
- Unhindered access to operating sites- no bothersome components impeding the operative
- site or trocar area
- Precision of movement which can lead to time saving (reducing the cleaning of the endoscope
- and unnecessary movement)
- Better ergonomics for surgical staff potential for reducing injury
- Simple handling, can be set up quickly and ready for use in minutes
- Relieving pressure on valuable employees, allowing the surgical assistant to focus more fully
- on exacting tasks rather than holding the endoscope
- Always available for use: including those times it may be difficult to find an assistant for
- example after hours and weekends
- Compatible with existing equipment such as operating tables, endoscopes and imaging
- systems including 3D, 4K and 8K.
- Very minimal maintenance required
- Minimal low cost consumables required (1x sterile drape)
“We have performed more than 1000 procedures with the SOLOASSIST so far. From our point of view, the SOLOASSIST can be used in the upper and lower abdomen, but it can also be used very efficiently in more challenging procedures such as in bariatric surgery.“
“In my experience the SOLOASSIST system provides a completely steady and shake-free image. Although I perform the surgery practically alone, the system has made surgical interventions even easier and safer.“
“I am convinced that surgical assistance systems have a future in the operating theatre. Thanks to them, surgeons are regaining control of their field of vision for the very first time. This is something that has been lacking in the field of laparoscopy so far.“
"The new system permits a greater degree of freedom compared to its predecessor. It is also easier to handle and can be be set up more quickly. The SOLOASSIST has become a permanent part of our demanding gynaecological and oncological lapararoscopic work."
"The Soloassist II is available without additional time and stress in any laparoscopic surgery. It provides a reliable view of the essentials without need to alter a customary way of working.
It is required to stabilize the scope to take image quality specifications including 3D and 4K to the maximum. Then I think that the time will be over when a surgeon hold a laparoscope with their own hands. At the point, I'm convinced that Soloassist II is playing a very important role in a future of laparoscopic surgery."
Functional Design
Joystick control
- With minimally invasive procedures, surgeons can work with both hands. Logically, the SOLOASSIST is controlled via a joystick positioned on the instrument or voice.
- The ergonomic joystick can be adapted to fit almost all commercially available handpieces by using a clamp mount.
- The functional design of the joystick facilitates handling. The keypad enhances the safety of surgery.
Manual positioning
- At the push of a button, the arm can be moved and pulled into the required position. When the button is released, the arm is locked immediately, remaining in the set position.
- The unlocking button is located on the distal end of the arm in an easily accessible position.
Straightforward docking
- Docking to the operating table is extremely simple thanks to the quick-coupling device.
- After the surgical procedure is completed, the arm is hung onto the trolley. The trolley is fully mobile and serves for storing the SOLOASSIST
Voice control
The SOLOASSIST Voice control is based on the industry leading, state of the art voice recognition engine. Together with an unique and intuitive set of commands, it allows a smooth and straight forward control over the surgeons view during endoscopic surgeries.
- Speaker independent - no speech training needed
- high responsive - average speech-to-movement time less than 200 ms
- precise – more than 95% recognition rate
Supporting Literature
Influence of a robotic camera holder on postoperative pain in women undergoing gynaecological laparoscopy:
http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/28/2/229.long
Solo-surgical laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a joystick-guided camera device: a case–control study:
https://www.springermedizin.de/solo-surgical-laparoscopic-cholecystectomy-with-a-joystick-guide/8539376
Evaluation of active camera control systems in gynecological surgery: construction, handling, comfort, surgeries and results:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00404-013-3004-8
Robotic Camera Assistance and Its Benefit in 1033 Traditional Laparoscopic Procedures: Prospective Clinical Trial Using a Joystick-guided Camera Holder:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25419950
