Robotic system for single incision laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

This paper proposes a robotic system to assist and collaborate with surgeons in Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) operations. The system, aim at solving the main drawbacks of this kind of surgery, is composed of a miniature camera robot and a redundant robotic grasper. Positioning of both robots inside the patient's abdomen is done by means of magnetic control. External magnetic sources are placed at the end effector of two robotic arms, and permanent magnets are integrated in the robots. Camera robot is provided with three permanent magnets, so both position and orientation can be controlled. Sliding control, which is robust against perturbations and parameter uncertainties, is chosen. Robotic grasper's redundancy makes possible autonomously obstacle avoidance and increases its workspace. The haptic device is designed so as surgeons can handle the grasper as if it were a conventional tool. In order to this aim, augmented reality is used to simulate a traditional tool in the visual feedback system, in substitution of the robotic grasper. Besides the telemanipulation, requirements for autonomously functions to assist surgeons in the specific tasks of suturing are discussed.