Importance

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Abstract

An endoscopic instrument is inserted into a patient's body to obtain a video image of internal body tissues in an internal space inside the patient's body, a signal encoding the image being transmitted over an electromagnetic signaling link to a remote location beyond a range of direct manual contact with the patient's body and the endoscopic instrument. An artificial opening or perforation is formed in a wall of a hollow internal organ of the patient, the organ communicating with a natural body opening, and a distal end portion of a surgical instrument is inserted through the natural body opening, through the organ and the artificial opening or perforation in the organ wall, and into the internal space. In response to actuator control signals from the remote location via the electromagnetic signaling link, the surgical instrument is automatically actuated to effect a surgical operation on the internal body tissues.

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First Claim