Mini-robot may revolutionize cataract surgery

Scientists from the British product development firm Cambridge Consultants have developed a miniature robot that may improve surgical procedures that require very small and precise movements such as cataract surgery.

Traditional surgical robots are large because they need to control long, straight instruments that pass through small holes into the patient. By using flexible, instead of straight instruments, the overall size of the robot could be reduced significantly, and the need for a large range of motion outside the body was eliminated. The result is Axsis, a prototype robot the size of a soda can that can manipulate tools that are just 1.8 mm in diameter.

“This level of innovation in surgical robotics has the potential to significantly enhance medical treatments and procedures for surgeons and patients alike,” said Chris Wagner, head of advanced surgical systems at Cambridge Consultants. “Take cataract surgery, for example. It is performed by hand, under a microscope, with tools that are about 2 millimetres in diameter. It’s the world’s most common surgery, yet there are still critical complications that can result due to the small size and delicate nature of the eye, and the experience and skill of the surgeon. This is where the traditional benefits of robotics – such as motion scaling and minimally invasive access – can help.”

“If we can build robots at this size scale, surgeons of all levels of experience can benefit, improving procedure outcomes and allowing more facilities to offer cataract procedures,” Wagner continued. “Axsis proves that it is not only possible to create surgical robots that are smaller than ever before – but also to target surgical procedures with robotics that were previously out of reach.”