ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE A research team at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University advised on the medical robot design. Bringing surgical insight to medical robot design obot-assisted surgery is safety, a clearer view through becoming increasingly the endoscope to allow for R common for its greater precise operation, increased stability, precision, and fl exibility user comfort to reduce fatigue, for complex procedures. From and shorter time under minimally invasive endoscopic anaesthesia. surgery, to complicated heart or Clinical researchers from brain surgeries, robotic systems the Third Xiangya Hospital of are widely used, with the growing Central South University have demand for minimally invasive advised on the initial design procedures that are less painful with their clinical experience. and safer for patients. Their rich data helped inform In China, the surgical robot the establishment of evaluation DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO HAND S industry is still in its infancy. criteria for product safety In the ‘Medium-to-Long-Term and e ectiveness. In the Plan for the Development of development of the prototype Science and Technology’ issued machine, researchers from the 1 by the government in 2006, hospital also performed in vitro the development of intelligent and animal experiments, as well robots was, for the fi rst time, as clinical trials to guarantee earmarked as being of national evidence-based design. strategic importance, and listed After more than 10 years as a cutting-edge technology of research, design, evaluation for boosting advanced tests, and retrospective and manufacturing. prospective clinical studies, In line with this, in 2008, the prototype was updated and when the da Vinci Surgical improved. A phase III clinical System was introduced to trial is planned to ensure the 2 3 China, a collaborative project robotic system meets all the 2013 2016 2017 2019 was initiated with government clinical requirements. This version features: An interface was developed The single-arm modular A control strategy of multi- funding support to develop “Robot-assisted surgery INNOVATIVE DESIGN a rotational manipulator to allow for intelligent, rapid arrangement was proposed function intervention was China’s own robotic system for is an inevitable trend given 1. With a foldable design, Micro Hand S is compact, while with three axes intersecting shifting of surgical instruments for the multi-incision introduced; instrument minimally invasive laparoscopic all the benefi ts it a ords,” allowing for a wide range of movement space of the at the tip of the robotic during an emergency; the laparoscopic surgery robot; designs were implemented to surgery. This has led to the said Shaihong Zhu, a lead manipulator. arm, allowing for a large modular arrangement for a an open design for the allow for ultrasonic or electro- invention of Micro Hand S. researcher of the Micro Hand S 2. With a single docking on the patient cart of the robotic system, degree of freedom; a design three-fi nger robotic hand was structure of the master cutting, electrocautery and The development of Micro collaborative project from the the slave manipulator can operate across multiple quadrants. for the operating arm to proposed to solve complex console was introduced to other functions; updates Hand S has involved clinicians Third Xiangya Hospital. “It’s not The range of rotation angles for its two joints are (-120°, 120°) automatically adjust based issues like pre-procedure enable easy observation; a were made to improve safety from its beginning. This insight taking away surgeons’ jobs, but and (-30°, 140°) respectively. on the incision procedure; positioning and operation stacked design of the slave control for the surgical helps robotic researchers better making our work easier.” 3. The master manipulator of the surgical robot adopts three and a strategy for mapping adjustment; a handle design arm was proposed to make instruments. understand the issues faced The development of rotary joint structures to assist the surgeon with location. the slave and master device based on ergonomic factors the robotic system more by surgeons, so that they can Micro Hand S heralds the rise As the axes of the fi rst two joints are upright, the motion is movement. improves control at the master compact. adjust designs to address clinical of the medical robotics industry less a ected by gravity, allowing for easier and more fl exible end, while solving the problem needs, such as greater dexterity in China, and it enhances operation. of operator hand fatigue. for complicated procedures, collaboration to achieve clinical improved force control to ensure and engineering innovation. Advertiser retains sole responsibility for content Advertiser retains sole responsibility for content.