Feasibility of Mobile Application for Surgical Robot Teleoperation

In recent years, robotic surgery has gained popularity due to its numerous advantages, including greater control and access for surgeons, shorter recovery times, and lower levels of pain for patients [1]. However, surgical robot systems require extensive training for surgeons to master their use. Simulation-based training has become a component of surgical education [2], providing a safe environment for trainees to acquire and refine their skills. However, most existing training platforms require bulky and expensive control consoles, which limits their availability and convenience. The development of a low- cost and easily deployed control console can address these limitations, thereby potentially enhancing the effectiveness of robotic surgery training. A system that satisfies these criteria can also enable medical robotics research in low-resource environments, where cost and accessibility are the most significant impediments to research. This paper describes the creation and evaluation of an iPhone application for these purposes.