Utilization of Ultrasonic Range Finder Sensor in Novel Robotic Systems for Haptic Feedback in Telepresence Surgery Application

Overview

University of Milan Robotic and telepresence surgery have resulted in numerous improvements to surgical procedures in recent years; however, loss of the sense of touch in such procedures remains a significant challenge. Existing research has addressed this challenge by exploring haptic feedback from force sensors for returning the sense of touch, but there is a lack of research surrounding the use of non-force sensors for haptic feedback. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of haptic feedback from ultrasonic range finder (URF) sensors—a type of non-force sensor—on the reduction of inaccuracy and imprecision of incisions. Participants created incisions with two robotic systems, one with and one without a URF sensor, and the inaccuracy and imprecision of the incisions were compared. Results showed inaccuracy (percent error) of incisions was reduced by more than half (p=5.11785 x 10-12), and imprecision (standard deviation of the percent errors) was reduced by almost half (p=6.65082 x 10-8). It was concluded that participants performed more accurately and precisely with haptic feedback from the URF sensor. Future collaboration with industry partners such as Intuitive Surgical will provide opportunity for implementation of URF sensors, which could impact surgeons and patients.

Competition history

• JSHS 2022 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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