Assessment of the EndoR System in ESD for Colorectal Lesions

Background Information 1. Purpose of the System 1.1. Device Name The EndoR Surgical System is a master-slave robotic platform designed for endoscopic surgery, featuring flexible dual arms and a cognitive control system. 1.2. Intended Indications and Usage The EndoR Surgical System is an advanced endoscopic surgical robotic system designed to assist surgeons and endoscopists to perform endoscopic surgeries. This is a system intended to provide both visualization and therapeutic access to the adult gastrointestinal (GI) tract for endoscopic surgeries, aiming to improve visualization and potentially reduce procedure time and technical complexity. Comprehensive guidelines for the preparation and operation of the EndoR Surgical System are provided in the Instructions for Use (IFU). The IFU will be distributed to all investigators and reviewed during training prior to initiating any procedures. 1.3. Product Description The EndoR Surgical System consists of two parts: the patient side and the surgeon side as shown in Figure 1. On the patient side, four main components can be found: a processing unit, a robotic carrier, a driving unit, and an overtube system with instruments. On the surgeon side, three main components can be found: a master console, a surgical monitor, and an ergonomic surgeon chair. On the surgeon side, the master console is the surgeon's primary interface with the EndoR Surgical System. It features intuitive controls that allow the surgeon to manipulate the robotic instruments with high precision remotely. The console transmits real-time commands to the patient-side processing unit. The surgical monitor displays high-definition, real-time video feeds from the endoscopic camera and other imaging sources. It provides the surgeon with a clear and detailed view of the operative field, enabling accurate navigation and decision-making throughout the procedure. The ergonomic surgeon chair is designed to maximize operator comfort and minimize fatigue during lengthy procedures. It features adjustable support for posture and armrests for stability while operating the console. A foot pedal of the electrocautery machine is usually placed near the surgeon's chair to control the electrocautery action of the dissector manipulator. On the patient side, the processing unit serves as the central "brain" of the system. It receives commands from the surgeon's console, interprets input signals, and coordinates the actions of all robotic components. This unit integrates real-time data processing, safety algorithms, and system diagnostics to ensure precise and synchronized movements during surgery. The robotic carrier is a stable platform designed to securely position and support the endoscopic instruments at the patient's bedside. It provides the structural framework for mounting the driving unit and endoscopic overtube system and can be adjusted for optimal alignment with the patient's anatomy. The carrier provides three standard motions to enable fine adjustment of the orientation of the instrument: translation along the overtube axial axis, rotational motion along the overtube axial axis, and up-down and left-right motion. The driving unit contains the actuators and motors that physically control the motion of the instruments. It translates digital commands from the processing unit into mechanical actions, such as rotation, insertion, or articulation of the endoscopic tools. The flexible endoscopic overtube system is designed to guide and protect the endoscope and instruments as they are advanced into the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Integrated within the overtube are instruments capable of performing complex surgical tasks such as tissue dissection and retraction. The endoscopic overtube system enhances stability and precision during endoscopic procedures. The connection between the overtube and the driving unit incorporates two attachment mechanisms. The first is a rotary attachment mechanism, which allows the overtube to be connected axially, enabling the orientation to be selected prior to installing the instruments. This design addresses surgical scenarios where the treatment area is extensive and, with conventional endoscopes, would typically require repositioning the patient during the procedure. Instead, the rotary mechanism permits the overtube to rotate and lock securely at four distinct angles, optimizing the surgical posture of the manipulator without the need to move the patient. This feature streamlines the workflow and shortens overall procedure time by eliminating unnecessary setup steps. The second is a sliding attachment mechanism, which allows the overtube to be connected from the side of the driving unit. This mechanism is not used in normal operating procedures but is used only in emergency situations, for example when the overtube needs to be removed instantly from the patient. The active bending section of the endoscopic overtube is controlled by knots. Two bending directions are provided (pitch and yaw direction), and the bending angles of each direction can be locked by pulling the knot in the direction out of the driving unit. The endoscopic channel enables the use of an endoscopic camera within the system, offering a clear view of the surgical location. The decoupled motion between the camera and the instruments further enhances the field of view and visual stability. 2. Findings From Pre-clinical Studies 2.1. Background of the Disease and Endoscopic Procedures Gastrointestinal cancers are common and significant causes of cancer death worldwide. GI cancers grow from the mucosal layer. If pre-malignant and early cancers are removed en bloc at an early stage before they spread to lymph nodes, survival rates can be improved. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were developed as minimally invasive, organ-sparing methods for removing pre-malignant and early gastrointestinal cancers. While EMR is suitable for smaller lesions, ESD is typically required for larger lesions. ESD offers the advantage of a higher rate of complete, single-piece resection, which is associated with a lower risk of local recurrence compared to EMR. However, ESD is a technically complex procedure with a higher risk of complications such as perforation and bleeding. Conventional ESD is performed using a flexible endoscope with a single instrument channel to access the gastrointestinal tract. This setup presents several challenges, including difficulty in maintaining the endoscope in a stable position, limited ability to provide effective tissue traction, and frequent intraprocedural bleeding. As a result, ESD demands a high level of technical skill from surgeons. 2.2. Summary of Pre-clinical Studies The EndoR Surgical System was developed to address these challenges, aiming to allow surgeons to operate two surgical instruments with enhanced dexterity and a broader range of motions. Both pre-clinical ex-vivo studies and in-vivo studies were conducted in the development of this surgical system. Six pre-clinical ex-vivo studies were conducted in porcine stomach between 2015 and 2023, and eleven pre-clinical in-vivo studies were conducted in live porcine models with the lesion sites at the stomach, rectum, and left colon between 2016 and 2024. These pre-clinical studies were conducted in LASEC-PWH, MISSC-PWH, and the Hybrid Operating Room of the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC). I. Pre-clinical (Ex-vivo) Study Six pre-clinical ex-vivo studies were conducted between 2015 and 2023, spanning from the initial development of the robotic arms to the fully functional robotic platform. All studies utilized porcine stomach specimens in a bench-top setup. II. Pre-clinical (In-vivo) Study Eleven pre-clinical in-vivo studies were conducted between 2016 and 2024. All studies were performed in live porcine models weighing between 30 and 55 kg. The surgical sites included the stomach, rectum, and left colon. All studies were conducted under the supervision of clinical experts and were administered in a registered pre-clinical laboratory. The porcine models were given analgesics for pain relief before procedures and were euthanized before the end of the study if they suffered any serious injury or showed signs of severe pain or distress. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were monitored throughout the studies, and the porcine models were sacrificed by overdose of anesthetic. Based on data from the ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments, two key conclusions can be drawn: i) After several training sessions, operator performance became more consistent and efficient. ii) The dissection rate increased as the dissection area grew, a phenomenon not observed in conventional procedures using a single endoscope and dissection tool. 3. Potential Risks and Benefits From the results demonstrated in the pre-clinical studies, the EndoR Surgical System allows for greater dexterity and precision in manipulating instruments, which is particularly advantageous for larger lesions. This precision can lead to more effective dissection and reduced damage to surrounding tissues. This may also reduce the risk of complications associated with ESD. By minimizing trauma to adjacent structures, the likelihood of adverse events such as bleeding or perforation may be significantly lowered. Patients may experience faster recovery times, contributing to improved satisfaction and outcomes. As the risk of complications decreases, endoscopic procedures like ESD could become accessible to a broader patient population. While performing ESD is generally considered safe, it remains a technically demanding procedure even with the assistance of the surgical robotic system. The use of surgical robots introduces the risk of equipment malfunctions, which can lead to complications during the procedure. Additionally, any technical issues may result in delays, potentially compromising patient safety. The attending physicians will monitor and examine subjects as necessary and will work carefully to ensure subject safety. In the event of an adverse reaction, countermeasures will be taken as appropriate, and focus will be placed on ensuring subject safety while the cause of the reaction is investigated. 4. Duration of the Study and Follow-up Period The total duration of this study is two years. The enrollment period is expected to be completed within approximately one year, involving six subjects. Upon discharge, follow-up visits of subjects for this study will take place at the fourth to sixth week, sixth to eighth month, and twelfth to fourteenth month as clinically indicated. All subjects enrolled in this study will also receive clinical follow-up and surveillance according to standard clinical protocols thereafter. 5. Compliance This study will be conducted in compliance with the following guidelines and regulations: * International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline on Good Clinical Practice (ICH E6) * Declaration of Helsinki * ISO 14155:2011 - Clinical Investigation of Medical Devices for Human Subjects (Good Clinical Practice) * All applicable local legal and regulatory requirements, as appropriate 6. Study Population This study will recruit six adult patients with superficial colorectal lesions scheduled for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Trial Objective and Purpose 1. Objective The objective of this study is to assess the safety and performance of the EndoR Surgical System for the treatment of patients with colorectal malignant lesions. Technical success, clinical success, and any adverse events will be recorded. 2. Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the EndoR Surgical System in human subjects. The EndoR Surgical System is designed for endoscopic procedures in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through the natural orifices of the human body, with the goal of establishing a reliable, minimally invasive system that enhances patient outcomes. 3. Hypothesis The EndoR Surgical System is safe and efficacious for use in colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection.