In this paper, a remote surgery experiment, which was conducted between Japan and Korea by using the developed minimally surgical system is described. A research Internet, APII (Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure), which consists of an optical submarine cable network, KJCN (Korea-Japan Cable Network) was used as an information transmission channel. In the experiment, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed on a pig. The network time-delays of robot and images were 6.5 ms and 435 ms respectively.

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OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to characterize quantitatively the three regional cardiac surface motions before and after stabilization using a stabilizer (Octopus 4.3, Medtronics Inc.) by our newly developed “3-dimensional digital motion-capture and reconstruction system” in an animal experiment setting. METHODS: Ten pigs underwent full sternotomy. Three tiny metallic markers (diameter 2 mm) coated with a reflective material were attached on three regional cardiac surfaces (LAD, RCA and LCX). These makers were captured by two high-speed digital video cameras (955 frames/s) as 2-dimensional data, and reconstructed to 3-dimensional data points. RESULTS: Virtual 3-dimensional images of the beating heart surface were successfully reconstructed and details of the three regional cardiac surfaces were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: This system is useful for a precise 3-D quantification of the heart surface movement, and development of a better stabilizer for beating heart surgery.

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We have been developing a surgical navigation system for the graft replacement of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The system supports surgeons to detect the most important intercostal artery among the amount of cavities of the aorta. The world's first clinical trial was performed in July 2006 at Tokyo Women's Medical University. Up to now, the system has been utilized for nine clinical cases. For all cases, the system was assisted for surgeon's decision-making. Good clinical course without paraplegia. This system is highly effective for surgeons and patients to perform the safety and assure surgery.

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