Application of deterministic networking for reducing network delay in urological telesurgery: A retrospective study

摘要

BACKGROUND: Deterministic Networking (DetNet) is a new technology that can effectively control network delay and may promote the revolution of telemedicine. This study verified the feasibility and advantage of deterministic networking in telesurgery. METHODS: All telesurgeries employed the 'MicroHand S' surgical robot system. The network mode adopted fixed-line and 5G wireless networks, while the network configuration scheme adopted DetNet and general networking. The telesurgery data of three patients using DetNet and four patients using a general network were collected, and the time-delay, packet loss rate and delay jitter were compared during the operations. RESULTS: Compared with a general network, DetNet can effectively control data transmission during the telesurgery process for both fixed-line and 5G wireless networks, further reducing network latency, minimising data fluctuations, and improving surgery security. CONCLUSION: The DetNet meets the requirements of deterministic delay, low jitter and high bandwidth for telesurgery, which may provide effective network guarantee for developing the telemedicine system.