Which factor is most critical in preventing internal collisions between robotic instruments during active procedures?

The most critical factor in preventing internal collisions between robotic instruments during active procedures is proper port placement and triangulation. Port placement refers to the exact locations on the patient’s body where the robotic trocars, or entry points, are inserted. Triangulation means arranging the camera port and instrument ports in a triangular pattern that allows each instrument to reach the surgical site at the correct angle without overlapping paths. If ports are placed too close together or at the wrong angles, the robotic instruments may enter the body in a way that causes their shafts or tips to cross paths inside the patient. This can lead to collisions that damage tissue, reduce control, or interrupt the procedure. Proper triangulation ensures that each instrument has a clear and separate path to the target area, with enough distance between them to allow for full motion without interference. This spatial separation is essential for smooth and safe robotic movement, especially when performing tasks that require synchronized use of multiple instruments, such as grasping and cutting at the same time.