震撼!不用电机的手术机器人诞生,灵感来自水蛭,已能精准切除肠道肿瘤
机器人大讲堂·2025-08-25 12:10

Core Viewpoint - A new soft robotic system for teleoperated endoscopic surgery has been developed by a research team from UNSW, which operates solely on hydraulic transmission without the need for motors, showcasing significant potential for precise surgical operations in narrow intestinal spaces [1][2]. Group 1: Importance of Soft Surgical Robots - Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer globally, with a high mortality rate. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a crucial treatment method that avoids external incisions [2][4]. - Existing ESD robotic systems face challenges such as mechanical structure limitations, complexity, and high costs, which hinder their clinical application [4][5]. Group 2: Innovative Design Inspired by Nature - The research team drew inspiration from the mouth structure of leeches, leading to the design of a unique three-claw gripper that mimics the leech's suction capabilities [6][7]. - The three-claw design allows for automatic alignment and even force distribution, reducing the risk of tissue damage compared to traditional two-claw systems [7][8]. Group 3: Mechanical Control System - The system features a purely mechanical master-slave control mechanism, eliminating the need for electronic controls, which enhances reliability and reduces energy loss during operation [9][11]. - The design includes a Delta structure master controller that translates hand movements into precise actions at the surgical end, utilizing hydraulic pressure generated by syringes [11][12]. Group 4: Performance and Testing - The soft robotic arm can extend by 70 mm and generate a maximum force of 3.88 Newtons, surpassing the force required for ESD procedures [12][19]. - Rigorous in vitro and ex vivo experiments demonstrated the system's capability to perform complete ESD procedures, showcasing its clinical application potential [15][18]. Group 5: Future Prospects - Future improvements will focus on enhancing tactile feedback and integrating imaging technology for better visual feedback during procedures [20]. - The innovative design of this soft robotic system may also be applicable to other endoscopic surgeries, potentially revolutionizing minimally invasive surgical techniques [20].