Application of Haptic Feedback to Robotic Surgery

TLDR

Robotic surgical systems have advanced minimally invasive surgery, yet the lack of tactile or haptic feedback can hinder delicate tissue manipulation and suture handling. The study hypothesizes that providing haptic feedback through sensory substitution will improve the performance of surgical knot tying. Preliminary results show that visual sensory substitution enables surgeons to apply more consistent, precise, and higher tensions to fine suture materials without breakage during robot‑assisted knot tying.

Abstract

Robotic surgical systems have greatly contributed to the advancement of minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. However, current robotic systems do not provide tactile or haptic feedback to the operating surgeon. Under certain circumstances, particularly with the manipulation of delicate tissues and suture materials, this may prove to be a significant irritation. We hypothesize that haptic feedback, in the form of sensory substitution, facilitates the performance of surgical knot tying. This preliminary study describes evidence that visual sensory substitution permits the surgeon to apply more consistent, precise, and greater tensions to fine suture materials without breakage during robot-assisted knot tying.