https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/files/6520436/pp.pdf

Variable impedance actuators: A review

Minimally invasive instrument for robotic surgery including a functional element, a force, torque and/or pressure transmission device for transmitting force, torque and/or pressure from a drive to the functional element, a coupling device for coupling the instrument to a medical robot such that the functional element can be actuated by the drive, wherein an operating element for manually operating the functional element in a state in which the instrument is uncoupled from the medical robot

Minimally invasive instrument for robotic surgery

In this paper we introduce the Pisa/IIT SoftHand, a novel robot hand prototype designed with the purpose of being robust and easy to control as an industrial gripper, while exhibiting high grasping versatility and an aspect similar to that of the human hand. In the paper we briefly review the main theoretical tools used to enable such simplification, i.e. the neuroscience-based notion of soft synergies. A discussion of several possible actuation schemes shows that a straightforward implementation of the soft synergy idea in an effective design is not trivial. The approach proposed in this paper, called adaptive synergy, rests on ideas coming from underactuated hand design. A synthesis method to realize a desired set of soft synergies through the principled design of adaptive synergy is discussed. This approach leads to the design of hands accommodating in principle an arbitrary number of soft synergies, as demonstrated in grasping and manipulation simulations and experiments with a prototype. As a particular instance of application of the synthesis method of adaptive synergies, the Pisa/IIT SoftHand is described in detail. The hand has 19 joints, but only uses 1 actuator to activate its adaptive synergy. Of particular relevance in its design is the very soft and safe, yet powerful and extremely robust structure, obtained through the use of innovative articulations and ligaments replacing conventional joint design. The design and implementation of the prototype hand are shown and its effectiveness demonstrated through grasping experiments, reported also in multimedia extension.

/pdf/adaptive-synergies-for-the-design-and-control-of-the-pisa-4bsmywppho.pdf

Adaptive synergies for the design and control of the Pisa/IIT SoftHand

An anthropomorphic hand arm system using variable stiffness actuation has been developed at DLR. It is aimed to reach its human archetype regarding size, weight and performance. The main focus of our development is put on robustness, dynamic performance and dexterity. Therefore, a paradigm change from impedance controlled, but mechanically stiff joints to robots using intrinsic variable compliance joints is carried out.

The DLR hand arm system

The use of laparoscopic and robotic procedures has increased in general surgery. Minimally invasive robotic surgery has made tremendous progress in a relatively short period of time, realizing improvements for both the patient and surgeon. This has led to an increase in the use and development of robotic devices and platforms for general surgery. The purpose of this review is to explore current and emerging surgical robotic technologies in a growing and dynamic environment of research and development. This review explores medical and surgical robotic endoscopic surgery and peripheral technologies currently available or in development. The devices discussed here are specific to general surgery, including laparoscopy, colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and thoracoscopy. Benefits and limitations of each technology were identified and applicable future directions were described. A number of FDA-approved devices and platforms for robotic surgery were reviewed, including the da Vinci Surgical System, Sensei X Robotic Catheter System, FreeHand 1.2, invendoscopy E200 system, Flex® Robotic System, Senhance, ARES, the Single-Port Instrument Delivery Extended Research (SPIDER), and the NeoGuide Colonoscope. Additionally, platforms were reviewed which have not yet obtained FDA approval including MiroSurge, ViaCath System, SPORT™ Surgical System, SurgiBot, Versius Robotic System, Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot, Verb Surgical, Miniature In Vivo Robot, and the Einstein Surgical Robot. The use and demand for robotic medical and surgical platforms is increasing and new technologies are continually being developed. New technologies are increasingly implemented to improve on the capabilities of previously established systems. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each robotic surgical device and platform in the operating suite.

Review of emerging surgical robotic technology

Research on surgical robotics demands systems for evaluating scientific approaches. Such systems can be divided into dedicated and versatile systems. Dedicated systems are designed for a single surgical task or technique, whereas versatile systems are designed to be expandable and useful in multiple surgical applications. Versatile systems are often based on industrial robots, though, and because of this, are hardly suitable for close contact with humans. To achieve a high degree of versatility the Miro robotic surgery platform (MRSP) consists of versatile components, dedicated front–ends towards surgery and configurable interfaces for the surgeon. This paper presents MiroSurge, a configuration of the MRSP that allows for bimanual endoscopic telesurgery with force feedback. While the components of the MiroSurge system are shown to fulfil the rigid design requirements for robotic telesurgery with force feedback, the system remains versatile, which is supposed to be a key issue for the further development and optimisation.

https://elib.dlr.de/76868/1/IJCARS_2009_JournalPaper_Hagn_CameraReady.pdf

DLR MiroSurge: a versatile system for research in endoscopic telesurgery.

Recent research in industrial robotics aims at the involvement of additional sensory devices to improve robustness, flexibility and performance of common robot applications. Many different sensors have been developed over the past years to fit the requirements of different but very specific tasks. Special seam tracking sensors support the robot in welding applications. Vision systems are common in quality control and inspection. Force/torque sensors mounted to a robot's wrist are still an exception and limited to the fields of scientific research. Compared to the number of annual robot sales the number of sensor equipped robots is still negligible, although the benefits of sensory feedback are obvious. In this paper we introduce a general approach to tackle the problem of sensor-based robot assembly. We realized a flexible assembly cell that includes a variety of different sensors for mating with moving parts.

/pdf/flexible-robot-assembly-using-a-multi-sensory-approach-4ig56gn1mg.pdf

Flexible robot-assembly using a multi-sensory approach

Robotic surgery systems are highly complex and expensive pieces of equipment. Demands for lower cost of care can be met if these systems are employable in a flexible manner for a large variety of procedures. To protect the initial investment the capabilities of a robotic system need to be expandable as new tasks arise.

/pdf/mica-a-new-generation-of-versatile-instruments-in-robotic-2pqxqbhit9.pdf

MICA - A new generation of versatile instruments in robotic surgery

This video presents the in-house developed DLR MiroSurge robotic system for surgery. As shown, the system is suitable for both minimally invasive and open surgery. Essential part of the system is the MIRO robot: The soft robotics feature enables intuitive interaction with the robot.

/pdf/the-dlr-mirosurge-a-robotic-system-for-surgery-4azvoo37mr.pdf

Stefan Jörg

Papers

The DLR hand arm system

DLR MiroSurge: a versatile system for research in endoscopic telesurgery.

Flexible robot-assembly using a multi-sensory approach

MICA - A new generation of versatile instruments in robotic surgery

The DLR MiroSurge - A robotic system for surgery