A groundbreaking advancement in surgical robotics has been announced by Southeast University, marking a significant leap for China’s domestic medical equipment capabilities. A team led by Professor Song Aiguo has successfully deployed a force-interactive laparoscopic surgical robot, achieving a critical clinical breakthrough.
Bridging the Distance with Precision
In a remarkable demonstration of its advanced capabilities, the robot facilitated three complex urological surgeries. The procedures included two partial nephrectomies and one radical prostatectomy. These operations were performed collaboratively by surgical teams from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Notably, the distance separating the surgeons and the patients spanned an impressive 2,400 kilometers.
The clinical trial rigorously validated the robot’s stability, precision, and real-time responsiveness in ultra-long-distance remote surgery scenarios, particularly leveraging force feedback technology. This successful trial is a testament to the robust development and validation of the system.
Overcoming Technical Hurdles
The development team tackled the inherent challenges of laparoscopic surgery, which involves confined operating spaces and demands highly refined tactile feedback. To address this, they independently developed novel three-dimensional force pull sensors and gripping sensors based on the piezoresistive strain principle. This innovation overcame the complex challenge of integrating multi-dimensional force sensing within miniaturized surgical instruments.
The resulting small-scale, high-precision, and low-coupling multi-dimensional force sensors endow the surgical robot with fine force-sensing capabilities that closely mimic human hand dexterity. This achievement effectively fills a technological gap in the domestic field of force perception for laparoscopic robots.
Key Technological Innovations
Building upon this sensor technology, the team further mastered crucial force feedback control techniques and real-time teleoperation capabilities that provide a sense of presence. These advancements have already passed type testing and undergone multiple rounds of animal experiments, paving the way for clinical application.
During the clinical trials, surgeons operated from a console, viewing magnified images of the patient’s internal tissues, enlarged 10 to 20 times by an imaging system. The robotic arms, located 2,400 kilometers away, responded synchronously to surgical commands, fluidly executing core actions such as tissue separation, freeing, and cutting. Throughout the procedures, the positioning accuracy met all clinical surgical standards.
“The device clearly presents the surgical field while providing surgeons with precise and realistic tactile feedback.”
Professor Song Aiguo expressed his commitment to further advancing force perception and force feedback technologies. The team aims to integrate these capabilities into a wider range of surgical robot platforms, thereby enhancing the self-reliance and control of high-end domestic medical equipment.
This development signifies a major step forward, not only in surgical robotics but also in the broader landscape of advanced medical technology in China, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in sophisticated technological innovation.
