BALTIMORE, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. robotics scientists are trying to aid surgeons by adding "touch" sensations, known as haptic feedback, to medical robotic systems.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers say robotic tools give surgeons a new way to perform medical procedures with great precision in small spaces. But as the surgeon directs the tools from a computer console, an important component is lost: the sense of touch.
"They like to feel what's happening when they're working inside the body," said Allison Okamura, an associate professor of mechanical engineering. "They feel a 'pop' when a needle pokes through tissue. They can feel for calcification. Their sense of touch helps tell them where they are within the body."
But with current robotic technology, the surgeon suffers a loss of dexterity and haptic information.
To address the problem, Okamura's team is experimenting with several techniques. One option involves the use of force sensors, while another would use computer-generated haptic feedback.
"I'm exploring both approaches to see which produces the best results," Okamura said. "The most important thing is that the haptic feedback sent to the human operator must feel right because the fingers aren't easily fooled."
