SURGICAL ROBOTS: paper titled “A structured light laser probe for gastrointestinal polyp size measurement” co-authored by sant’anna school biorobotics researchers has been published in endoscopy international open journal

Higher-education institutions have made synergy a priority to strengthen the links between education, research and innovation. The paper “A structured light laser probe for gastrointestinal polyp size measurement: a preliminary comparative study” published in Endoscopy International Open journal will ensure that Sant’Anna School Biorobotics Institute, the Dipartimento di scienze chirurgiche of Università di Torino and Japanese Kagoshima University, Kyushu University  and Hiroshima City University partnership is fully exploited.

Researchers and engineers have developed a structured light laser probe device for polyp size assessment by visual inspection, open biopsy forceps of known size, ruled snare, and structured light probe; 392 independent polyp measurements were performed in ex vivo porcine stomachs.

The paper draws upon lessons learnt in 2012 from the Hamlyn Center at Imperial College London and the Kagoshima University that brought together Gastone Ciuti, Marco Visentini-Scarzanella, Paolo Dario and Arianna Menciassi. Six years after the CARS Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery congress, authors Ciuti and Visentini are conducting analysis and developing a model for future devices integrated in robotic platforms to navigate a soft-tethered colonoscopy tool for painless diagnosis and treatment.

“This device represents a potential pathway to establishing future consideration as part of endoscopic–driven technologies designed for the clinical practice – said Ciuti. Researchers from Sant’Anna School and the University of Torino, together with the partners of the Endoo Consortium (European pioneers for minimally invasive capsular navigation) have already performed trials of tethered capsules. Their Endoo (Endoscopic versatile robotic guidance, diagnosis and therapy of magnetic-driven soft-tethered endo-luminal robots) collaborative research is aimed at translating advanced capsular technology into clinical use”.