CYCLOPS: A universal robotic attachment for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Gastrointestinal cancers accounted for 30,000 deaths in the UK and 1.5 million worldwide in 2012. Research suggests that if diagnosed and appropriately treated at the earliest stage, survival rates are high especially for bowel cancer. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) is an advanced technique of therapeutic endoscopy for removing early cancers or polyps (growths) that in recent years has grown rapidly. The technique has extensively been adopted in Eastern Asia for treatment of early gastric cancer due to its excellent results, without the need for a surgical procedure. In the Western world ESD is seldom carried out, especially for the removal of colorectal cancers, due to its technical complexity, longer operating times and high perforation and bleeding rates. <more soon>
EndoDrone: A universal endoscopic attachment for detection of gastrointestinal dysplasia
Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is the gold-standard procedure for detection and treatment of dysplastic lesions and early stage GI cancers. In spite of its proven effectiveness, the sensitivity and specificity of the approach remains suboptimal. This is mainly due to the subjective nature of the examination, which relies on human-operator skills. Optical biopsy techniques such as diffuse reflectance (hyperspectral) spectroscopy have been successfully used to detect and highlight small and flat lesions by increasing their contrast in comparison to healthy tissue. However, these techniques are still impractical for extensive spatial coverage as they rely on single-point data acquisition. This is a fundamental limiting factor that inhibits the practical adoption of optical biopsy. For facilitating the practical adoption of optical biopsy techniques, we have developed proof-of-concept device for semi-automatic, wide-area optical imaging and red-flagging of the colon and the oesophagus. <more soon>
SmartOR: A perceptually-enabled operating room
Improved surgical outcome and patient safety in the operating theatre is a constant challenge. While new technologies may add complexity to the surgical workflow, at the same time they provide new opportunities for the design of systems and approaches that could improve patient safety, surgical workflow and task efficiency. This project concerns a low-cost framework that allows perceptually enabled interactions within the surgical environment. This is achieved through the synergy of wearable eye-tracking, advanced computer vision methodologies, like SLAM, and integrated collaborative robots. One of the fundamental functionalities of the framework is its ability to locate in 3D space the visual attention of multiple operating theatre attendants. <more soon>
μCYCLOPS: A hybrid manual or robotic microsurgery tool with a focus on neurosurgery
The microCYCLOPS is a manually or robotically controlled tendon-driven surgical instrument based on the CYCLOPS concept. Although neurosurgery is the primary focus, tubular tissue retraction devices can be used in many microsurgical applications, allowing the concept of microCYCLOPS to be applied more broadly. Applications include Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) and Laryngeal Microsurgery. Specifically for neurosurgery, the microCYCLOPS is combined with the cylindrical tissue retraction device NeuroendoportⓇ (NEP) and allows for accurate dissection of deep-seated brain lesions. Experimental validation demonstrated accurate and safe control, without significant increase in task execution time when compared to conventional rigid instruments. Additionally, the device has a wider range of motion compared to standard rigid instruments. <more soon>
GaGARoS: A Gaze-Guided Assistive Robotic System, for Daily-Living Activities
Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is the partial or total paralysis of all four limbs. Various illness or injury can result in this condition such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain or spinal injury and stroke. Being unable to move around or handle objects present difficult challenges to one’s daily life. For many patients, the desire to regain mobility or at least dexterity so they do not feel completely helpless, is a longing wish. We have developed a novel assistive robotic system incorporating an intuitive free-view gaze interface. The user’s point of regard is estimated in 3D space while allowing free head movement and is combined with object recognition and trajectory planning. This framework allows users to interact with real objects in unknown environments, for tasks such as meal preparation and drink retrieval, through a robotic arm and using just their eyes. <more>
