  This article deals with a patents state-of-the-art linked to our robotic
system which holds an endoscope. In a first part, we analyze how the endoscope
operates as well as we discover the environment where we wish to use it: the
middle ear. In a second step, we establish a state-of-the-art on patents
existing in the robotic and surgical fields. The approach is based on a
specific search methodology using keywords and classifications. Thanks to all
the patents found, we gather them according their country and date of
publication, and we are able to analyze the results. This study brings to light
technical solutions invented in recent years and allows us to find an
innovative research axis.
