Automation of procedures and tasks in laparoscopic robotic surgery

Context:

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) uses techniques that reduce or eliminate incisions in the patient's body. Laparoscopy has replaced traditional open surgery because of its benefits, such as less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. However, it presents challenges such as a limited field of view, lack of haptic feedback, less hand-eye coordination and steep learning curves for surgeons.

Currently, there are no robotic platforms on the market for laparoscopic MIS that allow surgeons to design customized surgical plans preoperatively through the use of formative environments in the metaverse, nor that improve surgical processes through automation of surgical tasks with artificial intelligence.

The Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center Foundation has detected this need and is acting as the applicant for this pre-commercial public procurement.

Aim of the project:

In this context is created The Automaton Surgery (AUTOPILOT), the initiative that seeks to develop innovative solutions in the field of automation of tasks and processes in surgical robotic systems. 

The main objective of the project is the development of a surgical robotic platform for laparoscopic MIS through innovation in several fields such as surgical video analysis, the development of specialized actuators, digital twins and automatic control algorithms, as well as training environments specifically designed to enable the platform to perform surgical tasks autonomously. The project duration is 42 months.

Role of Vicomtech:

Vicomtech, in addition to acting as the leader of the JVU, will be responsible for developing laparoscopic video processing technologies, the development of a digital surgical twin and will contribute to the development of AI-based algorithms that will help the robotic platform gain autonomy.

Partners:

The Pre-Commercial Public Procurement initiative has been promoted by the Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center through the Department of Education, Science and Vocational Training of the Regional Government of Extremadura. This initiative is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of Spain's Pluriregional Operational Program 2021-2027 and the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) with 10 million euros (VAT excluded). 

The joint venture is made up of two technology centers, Tekniker and Vicotmech, and two companies, Cyber Surgery and Medical Simulator.