A multi-point collaborative experiment on 5G remote robotic surgery was carried out successfully between Suzhou and Beijing

On Sept 8, 2019, a surgical trial combining 5G network and multi-point collaborative 5G remote robot was successfully completed between Suzhou and Beijing.

In the 5G network environment, the PLA General Hospital and Sagebot successfully completed the collaborative 5G remote robot surgery experiment in Beijing and Suzhou by utilizing the characteristics of 5G network with large bandwidth and low delay. The experimental technical team operated the surgical robot in Beijing and Suzhou respectively by means of 5G communication network, carried out the intestinal resection and liver resection for the same experimental animal remotely, and integrated and relayed the medical monitoring information, robot and network status information during the operation to the central monitoring office.

The KangDuo Robot used in this experiment was independently developed by Harbin Sagebot Intelligent Medical Equipment Co.,Ltd.. It can achieve multiple minimally invasive surgery, and has the advantages of minimally invasive, exquisite, flexible and filter shaking.

The trial was divided into two phases. The first stage was an injury-controlled enterectomy led by a surgeon based in Suzhou. During the operation, the large screen of the central monitoring hall in Beijing displayed real-time intraoperative visual field, parameters of vital signs of the experimental animals, parameters of the surgical robot and parameters of 5G network. Experts in Beijing supervised and guided the operation in real time through a monitoring center. In the second stage, experts from Beijing intervened in the operation, quickly completed the switch of the robot control table, and operated the surgical robot to continue the deterministic liver resection.

During the test, the 5G network delay is extremely low and the network condition is stable, and there is no signal delay, operation delay, blurred picture and other conditions due to the distance and the remote switch of the main console. The mechanical arm responds in time and is stable, the operation is accurate and effective, and the vital signs of test animals are stable.

The implementation of this multi-point collaborative 5G remote robotic surgery experiment has realized the remote sharing of high-quality medical resources and real-time information interaction, which meets people's demand for high-end medical resources and is also another successful attempt of 5G network application.