3rd Tokushukai Robotic Seminar to be held at Tokyo International Forum from July 19

The Tokushukai Group will hold the 3rd Tokushukai Robotic Seminar (TROS) for two days from July 19 at the Tokyo International Forum. This is an interdisciplinary academic meeting targeting robotic surgery in various fields such as cardiovascular surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, and urology. This year's theme is "Next-Generation Robotic Surgery Accelerated by Co-creation," and experts from within and outside the Tokushukai Group who are active on the front lines of each field will take the stage. In a special lecture, a featured program, experts (professors) researching at universities will be invited to discuss the evolution of surgical robots and the development of related technologies from an engineering perspective, delivering exciting cutting-edge information that is rarely heard at clinical medical conferences.

Regarding the aim of the 3rd TROS's main theme, "Next-Generation Robotic Surgery Accelerated by Co-creation," Takatsugu Okegawa, Executive Director of the Tokushukai Medical Corporation and Director of Musashino Tokushukai Hospital, who serves as the conference chair, explained, "In recent years, surgical support robots have undergone rapid evolution and diversification. Triggered by the emergence of domestic robots, we are entering a new era where multiple models coexist. In such a transformation, what is required is not just technical proficiency, but a perspective that creates new value through 'co-creation' by collaborating with medical institutions, between clinical departments, and even with industry."

As major directions for robotic surgery, Chairman Okegawa cited three points: "further expansion of application scope," "realization of remote medicine," and "automation of surgery by AI." Particularly concerning AI, which is evolving at an explosive pace, these trends have been reflected in the seminar's program.

"We planned the special lecture (on the 19th) with the aim of anticipating the vision of how basic and engineering researchers will think about the intelligence of surgical support robots (mechanisms that operate autonomously through AI, etc.), how they will be implemented, and how society will change. This is the highlight program of the 3rd TROS," Chairman Okegawa appealed.

Three lecturers have been invited to the special lecture. In Special Lecture 1, Professor Kanako Harada from the Department of Medical Materials and Devices, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Biosciences, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, will speak on "Intelligentization of Surgical Robots and Forms of Surgeon Support." In Special Lecture 2, Director and Professor Shinjiro Umezu from the Waseda University Institute for Healthcare Robotics / Department of Integrated Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, will present on "Development of Peripheral Technologies Accompanying the Evolution of Robot-Assisted Surgery." In Special Lecture 3, Representative Member and Professor Ryoichi Nakamura from MediLight LLC / Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, will give a lecture titled "Future Prospects of Surgical Support Robots Through Co-creation with Information Engineering and Social Sciences."

Numerous Featured Programs, Including a Presentation by Dr. Kazunari Tanabe, Chief of the Kidney Transplant Surgery Department at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital

In addition to these, there are many other featured programs. Chairman Okegawa will present on "Current Status and Prospects of Robotic Surgery in the Tokushukai Medical Corporation." Furthermore, in the special program "Tokushukai Advanced Robotic Surgery Symposium," planning committee members of the 3rd TROS and Dr. Kazunari Tanabe, Chief of the Kidney Transplant Surgery Department at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, will each introduce the clinical front lines at their respective institutions. Additionally, in symposia (1-6) designed to share knowledge by setting themes for each field and clinical department, four to five speakers will present.

As ensuring safety is also an important issue in robotic surgery, a luncheon symposium on the theme of "Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Practice and Safety" will be held as an interdisciplinary program. Poster exhibits will also be displayed, showcasing the current status and prospects of robotic surgery at various Tokushukai facilities.

"It is crucial to pursue all three aspects simultaneously: number of cases, academic activities (academia), and safety (establishment of systems). We hope that this opportunity will be a catalyst for sharing the latest knowledge and practical experience, engaging in active discussions that transcend departmental and institutional boundaries, and creating new collaborations and value. As this is a hybrid event, those who find it difficult to attend in person are welcome to participate online," Chairman Okegawa urged.

Various surgical support robots (da Vinci 5, da Vinci SP, hinotori, SALIO, HUGO, ANSUR) will be exhibited by their respective manufacturers, allowing participants to touch and experience them firsthand.

Participants Wanted!

Applications are currently being accepted (access via QR code). Participation is free, and the target audience includes doctors engaged in robotic surgery, as well as residents, paramedical staff, and medical students.

We look forward to your attendance!

Apply from the Tokushukai Robotic Seminar homepage!

Exhibited Robots

da Vinci 5

da Vinci SP

hinotori

HUGO

SALIO

ANSUR

Robotic Introduction Hospitals in the Tokushukai Group

The Tokushukai Group actively promotes robotic surgery, with 28 hospitals introducing a total of 35 units. The number of surgeries is also increasing year by year, with an annual increase of 500 cases since fiscal year 2022, reaching approximately 3,117 cases in fiscal year 2025.