ALF-X opens a New Era for Tele-Robotic Surgery

ALF-X opens a New Era for Tele-Robotic Surgery

Laparoscopic or 'keyhole' surgery is about to become safer and more efficient thanks to ALFX,
a new surgical tele-robotics system with innovative tactile sensing capabilities. The system,
to be presented today for the first time at the 17th Annual Congress of the International Society
for Gynaecological Endoscopy in Bari (Italy), represents a breakthrough in tele-robotic
surgery. It was developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the
pharmaceutical company SOFAR S.p.A..
ALF-X, which stands for “Advanced Laparoscopy through Force refleCTion”, employs a range of
unprecedented features covering tactile sensing capabilities, versatility, safety and ease of use for
laparoscopic surgical procedures. It provides surgeons with better 'tactile sensing', the perception of
forces exerted on patient tissues by robotic surgical instruments. This will help avoid breaking sutures
(surgical stitching) and reduce any damage caused by the incision of trocars, tools used in keyhole
operations, thus improving the quality of interventions.
In any type of laparoscopic intervention, ALF-X allows for the quick insertion and replacement of
surgical instruments independently from the patient’s positioning on the operation table. It is also
possible to simultaneously use up to five of its robotic arms, operated by one or two surgeons.
Designed to minimise workloads and reduce intervention time, ALF-X is highly versatile and is the first
system to address the demand for tactile sense in a cost-effective manner. Easily retractable to allow
surgeons full access to the patient, ALF-X should not alter overall surgical procedures. It is aimed at
experienced laparoscopy surgeons, offering an intuitive command interface that can be located
outside the operation room.
The ALF-X tele-robotic surgical system is the result of fruitful research and development collaboration
between the Italian pharmaceutical company SOFAR S.p.A. and the Joint Research Centre, the
European Commission's in-house research body. Thanks to its expertise in advanced robotics in the
field of nuclear safeguards, the JRC was able to innovate and patent the system design, while SOFAR
S.p.A. provided the engineering development and surgical expertise. The JRC develops many cutting
edge technologies as by-products of its work programme and is keen to licence them for external use
whenever possible.
The 17th Annual Congress of the International Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy entitled
“Women’s Health from Diagnosis to Treatment”, begins today and ends on June 7th (2008).
�� For further information please refer to:
• JRC Internal and External Communication; Tel: +39 033278 9743; Fax: +39 0332 785409;
Email: berta.duane@ec.europa.eu
• http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
• JRC Technology Portfolio: http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/technology-portfolio