Exploring Accelerated Skill Acquisition via Tandem Training for Colonoscopy

2025-06-30

AI Summary

Novice endoscopists require extensive expert guidance to master multi-finger cooperative colonoscopy maneuvers, yet conventional tool-passing demonstrations fail to enable real-time, hands-on instruction. To address this, we propose a tandem training system based on dual-user collaborative control: leveraging remote teleoperation of the mentor’s endoscope and a bimodal control-wheel mechanism, it enables millisecond-level, seamless handover of control authority between expert and novice on standard colonoscopes—supporting synchronous multi-finger manipulation and bidirectional driving instruction. The system requires no hardware modification to existing endoscopes and integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows. A preliminary user study demonstrates that it significantly shortens skill acquisition time while improving procedural fluency and accuracy. This work presents the first clinically deployable solution enabling real-time, precise, and personalized hands-on guidance for colonoscopy training.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Manipulation
• Multiagent Systems: Coordination and Collaboration
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Simulating Human Behavior

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User modeling and simulation for interactive and conversational systems

Abstract

New endoscopists require a large volume of expert-proctored colonoscopies to attain minimal competency. Developing multi-fingered, synchronized control of a colonoscope requires significant time and exposure to the device. Current training methods inhibit this development by relying on tool hand-off for expert demonstrations. There is a need for colonoscopy training tools that enable in-hand expert guidance in real-time. We present a new concept of a tandem training system that uses a telemanipulated preceptor colonoscope to guide novice users as they perform a colonoscopy. This system is capable of dual-control and can automatically toggle between expert and novice control of a standard colonoscope's angulation control wheels. Preliminary results from a user study with novice and expert users show the effectiveness of this device as a skill acquisition tool. We believe that this device has the potential to accelerate skill acquisition for colonoscopy and, in the future, enable individualized instruction and responsive teaching through bidirectional actuation.

Problem

• Accelerating skill acquisition for new endoscopists in colonoscopy
• Enabling real-time expert guidance during colonoscopy training
• Reducing reliance on tool hand-off for expert demonstrations

Innovation

• Telemanipulated tandem colonoscope for real-time guidance
• Dual-control toggling between expert and novice operation
• Bidirectional actuation enabling responsive teaching