Researchers designed an application that defines the reachability and dexterity of eye surgery robots. (Image Credit: Unsplash)
Researchers from University College London (UCL), Kings College London (KCL), and Moorfields Eye Hospital have partnered up to design an application defining the reachability and dexterity of robots involved in eye surgery. In addition, they unveiled a global metric that makes it possible to compare continuum robots quantitatively.
"While we already have good algorithms for the reachability of robots that explain how long, stiff or bendy a robot should be to reach specific locations, there has been no work on designing robots for dexterity, in other words, for reaching a specific point but under every orientation possible," said Dr Christos Bergeles.
Continuum robots flex, change shape to avoid important anatomical areas, replicate the movement of an elephant's trunk, and imitate a human hand's dexterity by controlling their tip's position and orientation. They can also reach an eye's bottom region for transplanting retinal cells in place of those that sustained damage, helping to enhance the surgeon's dexterity.
The techniques discussed in the paper are being used by Dr. Bergeles to build micro-surgical robots that present "opportunities beyond conventional surgery." His goal involves implementing the design algorithm into eye surgery robots via a new collaborative project from UCL, KCL, and Moorfield.
"The developed systems will revitalize surgery by improving practice and patient outcomes, supporting the vision of sight restoration, and presenting evidence for the role of new smart instrumentation technologies in the operating room," said Dr. Bergeles.
Have a story tip? Message me at: http://twitter.com/Cabe_Atwell