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An anthropomorphic design for a minimally invasive surgical system based on a survey of surgical technologies, techniques and training
Author(s) -
Tzemanaki Antonia,
Walters Peter,
Pipe Anthony Graham,
Melhuish Chris,
Dogramadzi Sanja
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the international journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1478-596X
pISSN - 1478-5951
DOI - 10.1002/rcs.1544
Subject(s) - instrumentation (computer programming) , modular design , invasive surgery , surgical instrument , computer science , focus (optics) , minimally invasive procedures , robot , surgical procedures , medical physics , human–computer interaction , simulation , medicine , surgery , artificial intelligence , physics , optics , operating system
Background Over the past century, abdominal surgery has seen a rapid transition from open procedures to less invasive methods, such as robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study aimed to investigate and discuss the needs of MIS in terms of instrumentation and to inform the design of a novel instrument. Methods A survey was conducted among surgeons regarding their opinions on surgical training, surgical systems, how satisfied they were with them and how easy they were to use. A concept for MIS robotic instrumentation was then developed and a series of focus groups with surgeons were run to discuss it. The initial prototype of the robotic instruments, herein demonstrated, comprises modular rigid links with soft joints actuated by shape memory alloy helix actuators; these instruments are controlled using a sensory hand exoskeleton. Results The results of the survey, as well as those of the focus groups, are presented here. A first prototype of the system was built and initial laboratory tests have been conducted in order to evaluate this approach. Conclusions The analysed data from both the survey and the focus groups justify the chosen concept of an anthropomorphic MIS robotic system which imitates the natural motion of the hands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.