SmartArm: Suturing Feasibility of a Surgical Robotic System on a Neonatal Chest Model
This work addresses the problem of performing minimally invasive surgery, specifically suturing, in the confined spaces of neonate patients, which is currently not possible with existing commercial surgical robots.
This paper investigates the feasibility of using the SmartArm robotic system for suturing within a neonatal chest model. The study demonstrates that an operator without medical experience can successfully tie two-throw knots inside the neonate chest model using the robotic system.
Commercially available surgical-robot technology currently addresses many surgical scenarios for adult patients. This same technology cannot be used to the benefit of neonate patients given the considerably smaller workspace. Medically relevant procedures regarding neonate patients include minimally invasive surgery to repair congenital esophagus disorders, which entail the suturing of the fragile esophagus within the narrow neonate cavity. In this work, we explore the use of the SmartArm robotic system in a feasibility study using a neonate chest and esophagus model. We show that a medically inexperienced operator can perform two-throw knots inside the neonate chest model using the robotic system.