EndoRobotics
The Next-Generation Non-Invasive Surgical Solution

Analyzing the history of surgery reveals many significant innovations that unraveled the complexities of invasive procedures. The evolution from laparotomy (open surgery) to laparoscopic surgery and the use of conventional gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes to treat diseases in the GI tract, like endoscopic submucosal dissection, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, are significant milestones achieved over the years.

While these are non-invasive methods, since surgical tools enter through natural orifices of the body, such as the mouth and anus, the use of endoscopes originally designed for diagnosis makes the procedure extremely difficult.

EndoRobotics is on a mission to robotize these new surgical procedures powered with its proprietary RoSE platform, so more doctors can efficiently perform the surgeries, and more patients can gain better outcomes.

By adding a robotic arm at the end of an endoscope, EndoRobotics enables physicians to more effectively hold and manipulate a lesion. The product’s four degrees of freedom, extensive motion capability, and ability to cope with various situations highly benefit endoscopic surgeries. The endoscope’s rollmotion around the circumference enables flexible positioning of the mucosal flap while cutting the submucosal layer, unlike the conventional method where the mucous membrane blocks the view and poses difficulty in distinguishing the submucosal from the muscle layer.

EndoRobotics’ primary RoSE platform facilitates a seamless interface between users and robots. It is equipped with core functionalities like precise tendon-sheath cable control, minimizing non-linear behavior.

Its standard mechanical and electronic interface protocols make it easy for different robots to be controlled with the system.

“The surgeon and/or his assistant can use RoSE to easily control the robot without inhibiting their original operational actions. All motions are motorized, and an existing electric knife is used for cutting through the endoscopic channel,” says Byung Gon Kim, CEO of EndoRobotics.

EndoRobotics has developed two traction robot types—one for stomach ESD and the other for colon ESD—along with a suture robot. The team aims to expand its product line and develop a robot for ESG and GERD treatments soon. Apart from these main products, assistant devices for endoscopic surgeries, an auto introducer (AI), and an endoscopic surgery simulator (ESS) are also under development.

The auto introducer makes the endoscopic process automatic. While doctors had to initially repeat the insertion and extraction of the endoscopic instruments during surgery, leading to irritation and muscle fatigue, they can now slightly insert EndoRobotics’ instrument. Further insertion and pause are automatic.

Akin to its product and platform, its simulator is a league above. It focuses on the training of endoscopic surgeries, while most existing simulators related to gastrointestinal procedures focus on the insertion process of the endoscope. The simulator is equipped with haptic capability, precise and high-resolution digital twins of target organs, and digital models of surgical tools and robots, including the RoSE platform. Many doctors who visited EndoRobotics’ exhibition booth further authenticated the solution’s capacity.

The products are an all–round solution as they equally benefit patients, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Hospitals can improve bed turnover, revenue improvement, and marketing promotion as patients gain access to non-invasive or scarless procedures, shorter hospitalization, low perforation rate, and lower medical cost. Healthcare providers acquire fast learning curves, stable and safe operations, and lower medical malpractice.

Kim observes EndoRobotics’ team culture as crucial to the efficacy and efficiency of its products. A culture where each member’s creativity and autonomy are considered, and regulations and controls based on the hierarchy and bureaucracy are thoroughly excluded is vital. Regulations are based on a person’s role in achieving the mission, not on differences in age, gender, and position.

Born from the idea that an endoscope meets a robot, EndoRobotics is spearheading a revolution in non-invasive endoscopic surgery. Its products are indeed one of a kind, providing benefits at every touchpoint.