[FG] Bio-Inspired Robots for Medicine-Lab

The BIROMED-Lab develops bio-inspired robotic and mechatronic systems for medical applications. The main research focus of the BIROMED-Lab is minimal invasive semi-autonomous robotic surgery for laser ablation of hard tissue (bone). This research is done within the MIRACLE II Project. Our portfolio includes knowledge in mechatronics, mechanical design, micro machining, robotics, control, and real-time data processing. Due to our expertise, we maintain also strong collaborations in the fields of robot-assisted gait and arm rehabilitation. 

In robotic surgery, we are developing an entire surgical platform that will consist of several highly dedicated subsystems like a positioning and stabilization mechanism at the tip of the robotic endoscope, a flexible robotic endoscope for single port surgery, new technologies in force sensing for endoscopes, an intuitive telemanipulation interface, a highly integrated optics and spray system for endoscopic laser surgery. To achieve repeatable high precision cuts even in minimally invasive procedures, our patented endoscope-tip attaches to the target tissue and decouples mechanically from the endoscope. Thus, if the patient moves or if the surgeon touches the surgery robot, disturbances will not be transferred to the endoscope tip. The cuts will be performed in a semi-autonomous procedure, where the robotic endoscope tip moves the laser along pre-planned trajectories while the surgeon surveys the cutting process and has the possibility to intervene at any time. To cover a large workspace inside the body, the endoscope tip can attach and detach single legs to “walk” along the target tissue to reach a new area of operation. In collaboration with surgeons, we investigate novel intuitive teleoperation interfaces that allow us to establish a new minimally invasive approach for laserosteotomy. A first application for the laser osteotome will be unikondylar knee arthroplasty. Future approaches for other orthopedic applications as well as spine surgery, and neurosurgical interventions are planned.