These are the answers to the questions we have been asked most often when demonstrating FreeHand. We welcome additional questions and will be happy to answer them.
FreeHand can be used to hold the laparoscope for all minimally invasive laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures.
FreeHand's ability to provide the surgeon with direct control of scope position and movement, and to deliver rock steady visualisation makes it particularly useful for:
These procedures include:
FreeHand puts you in total control of the scope position. You can immediately move the scope to precisely where you want it to be without the need for any additional assistance. FreeHand provides you with perfect control, for hour after hour, and for every case.
Once in position, FreeHand holds the scope completely stationary. Consequently FreeHand gives you stable, rock-steady visualisation, no matter how long the procedure.
Many surgeons have become accustomed to the slight wandering and shake of the picture manual camera holding inevitably causes; you may therefore be surprised by how the extra clarity of picture increases efficiency and relieves stress during the procedure.
Just a couple of minutes.
When not in use, FreeHand has its own storage stand, so you simply remove FreeHand from the stand and clamp it to the operating table.
No, because FreeHand can be conveniently clamped anywhere around the table, to suit the ergonomics of each individual procedure. FreeHand can easily be positioned to accommodate:
Are there restrictions on the size of patient or the patient positions I can use FreeHand for?Its long, jointed arm allows FreeHand to be positioned for any size of patient, from the very slight to the very large.
Equally, the full range of patient positions can be accommodated. The patient can be:
View a short video clip below:
When in use FreeHand is covered by a specially designed, single use sterile sleeve, running from the tip of the robotic motion assembly right down to - and completely over - the control box.
The sterile zoom module and clip, which holds the scope, are also single use and are clipped in place immediately prior to surgery.
Once within its sleeve everything the surgeon needs to operate FreeHand is within the sterile field; no additional assistance is required to position the scope.
How do I position FreeHand in relation to the port?The correct location for FreeHand is with the base of the robotic movement assembly placed directly above the port. A sterile template, included in the disposables pack, can be used to set the correct, 8 centimetre distance from the skin.
The spirit level on the speed control panel can be used ensure the robotic motion assembly is level.
View a short video clip below:
How do I use FreeHand to move the scope during surgery?A brief description is included in About FreeHand.
View a short video clip below:
Will the 12 cm continuous zoom restrict the size of patient I can use FreeHand for?The scope clip on the zoom module can be positioned at any point along the length of the laparoscope. Therefore, although FreeHand's continuous zoom capability is 12 cm, by simple repositioning of the clip, zoom over the full length of the scope can be achieved. You will quickly learn the optimal position for the clip for a particular patient morphology and surgical approach.
View a short video clip below:
FreeHand takes only seconds to set up for each case.
The single use sterile zoom module and sleeve are pre-sterilised, meaning that no reprocessing is required between cases.
FreeHand can keep up with the busiest schedule.