Surgery Team Operates 9000 Kilometres Apart from Patient

Researchers at ETH Zurich and The Chinese University of Hong Kong recently performed a groundbreaking remote endoscopy on a pig – both 9300 kilometres apart!

Using a PlayStation controller and advanced robotic technology, doctoral student Alexandre Mesot controlled the procedure from Switzerland, with just a 300-millisecond delay to Hong Kong, marking a significant achievement in telesurgery.

The endoscope, specially designed with a magnetic head for flexibility, allowed Mesot to navigate and take tissue samples from the pig’s stomach. The porker emerged from the procedure unharmed, demonstrating the potential of this cutting-edge approach for future medical applications.

This technology could potentially be used for human procedures, with smaller endoscopes inserted via the nose for more comfort and less sedation. Further enhancement of the procedure could also help patients in hard-to-reach areas or regions lacking local expertise.

This development builds on earlier advances in remote surgery, such as operations on the International Space Station. The ultimate goal is to extend this capability to remote regions, or even astronauts in space.

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