Projects
Proficiency Based Progression Training for Learning Robotic Basic Surgical Skills KU Leuven
Proficiency Based Progression (PBP) training has already demonstrated its scientific added value in different fields of modern medicine. It leads to a reduction of 'performance errors' during surgical or non-surgical tasks. This doctoral thesis deals with the implementation of this new training methodology in teaching basic robotic surgery skills, comparing PBP training with the current standard of care training 'See one, do one, teach one' ...
Design and Control of Continuum Robots for Minimally Invasive Surgical Applications KU Leuven
Flexible robots are a rapidly expanding research field. From industrial to exploration applications, flexible robots can provide significant benefits compared to conventional robots. Their properties are also appealing for the development of surgical instrumentation. Thanks to their superior dexterity these devices can reach places that are otherwise inaccessible to the surgeon, paving the way for new and less invasive interventions. However, ...
Functionally accurate robotics applications in spine surgery KU Leuven
A key motivation for introducing robotic systems in the operating room has been their ability to deliver superhuman performance. Surgical robots are able to execute precise gestures that rapidly and stably position instruments in many degrees of freedom (DOFs). However, for the vast majority of surgical procedures, positioning precision alone is not sufficient to realize the “right gesture”. Surgical plans are generally only a very idealised ...
Use Case for European Robotics in Ophthalmologic Micro-Surgery KU Leuven
EurEyeCase combines cutting-edge European robotic technology and creates an integrated setup for the very challenging use case of vitreoretinal eye surgery. Nowadays, a selected number of highly-skilled ophthalmologists are treating large numbers of patients that suffer from various types of vitreoretinal eye diseases. The majority of these intra-ocular interventions lie on or even beyond the boundaries of human skills as they pose extreme ...
Interactive Fluidic State Machines for Soft Robotics KU Leuven
Actuation, energy storage, sensing, and logic are four functionalities of both natural and artificial organisms, giving them the ability to thrive in their environment. The blueprint of conventional robots localizes these functionalities in discrete components supported by rigid materials. However, in soft robots that consist of compliant materials, localization of functionality severely limits autonomous operation and intelligent behaviour. ...
Autonomous Robotics for Transcatheter dEliveRy sYstems KU Leuven
Cardiovascular diseases are the single most common cause of death in Europe and worldwide. Minimally invasive catheter-based approaches gain in importance as they extend treatment to patients with high peri-operative risks. Today, catheter-based treatment comes with steep learning curves, poor ergonomics and exposure to damaging radiation. The ARTERY project offers a radiation-free approach based on shared-autonomy robotic catheters, with ...
Development of surgical assistive technology for intraocular microsurgery KU Leuven
Our eyesight is by far our most developed sense, playing a vital role in nearly all aspects of everyday life. As such, severe vision loss can have a devastating impact on one’s life. Advancements in medicine have led to effective treatment methods for a substantial range of eye diseases. Nevertheless, several retinal disorders remain a common cause of vision loss. At the time of writing, an estimated 244 million people worldwide suffer from a ...
SURSKILL - Skill Analysis for Surgical Training and Medical Devices Design KU Leuven
The design and development of surgical technologies takes time and substantial resources. Before reaching the market, these innovative technologies must first prove to be safe and efficient. Currently, the efficacy of the envisioned technology is assessed late in the development pathway. If insufficiently efficient, the technology may not pursue on its way to the market as is, whereas already a significant amount of resources have been spent. ...
Advanced Surgical Training for In-Office Hysteroscopy KU Leuven
Hysteroscopy, a vital gynecological procedure, facilitates minimally invasive examination and treatment of intrauterine pathologies. This technique grants clinicians access to the uterine cavity via an endoscope through natural orifices, eliminating the need for additional incisions. Advanced technology has enabled the miniaturisation of instruments, allowing endoscope introduction without prior dilation of the cervical canal, facilitating ...