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Plug & p...erform surgery - design of a mechanical interface to safely detach a tendon-driven robotic endoscope
After discussing with clinicians and identifying the requirements, you will develop a "plug & play" interface that allows the surgeon to safely attach and detach a tendon-driven endoscope from its actuation unit.
Keywords: Medical robotics, Robotic endoscopy, Mechanical design, Product development
In recent years, surgeries have been performed with a trend towards minimally invasive procedures, where the size and number of skin incisions are kept to a minimum. Advantages of minimally invasive surgeries include the reduction of tissue stress, postoperative pain and a faster healing process. However, for the surgeon, manual handling of instruments through a small incision is difficult and robots can help to perform these interventions faster and with greater precision. Within the MIRACLE project, we are working on equipping a surgical robot with a dexterous, snake-like tool called an articulated endoscope, which allows the automation of certain surgical tasks inside the body. The movement of this articulated endoscope is transmitted via tendons from externally placed motors. For reasons of safety and sterilizability, the endoscope needs to be detachable from the motors.
**What we offer:**
- You will take a leading role in the development of the interface and be part of the process from first ideas to integration and evaluation in a real prototype.
- Work in an interdisciplinary field (e.g., work with clinicians).
**Your profile:** Background in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, biomedical engineering, applied physics, or in a closely related discipline. Practical experience in computer-aided design (CAD) desirable. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
In recent years, surgeries have been performed with a trend towards minimally invasive procedures, where the size and number of skin incisions are kept to a minimum. Advantages of minimally invasive surgeries include the reduction of tissue stress, postoperative pain and a faster healing process. However, for the surgeon, manual handling of instruments through a small incision is difficult and robots can help to perform these interventions faster and with greater precision. Within the MIRACLE project, we are working on equipping a surgical robot with a dexterous, snake-like tool called an articulated endoscope, which allows the automation of certain surgical tasks inside the body. The movement of this articulated endoscope is transmitted via tendons from externally placed motors. For reasons of safety and sterilizability, the endoscope needs to be detachable from the motors.
**What we offer:**
- You will take a leading role in the development of the interface and be part of the process from first ideas to integration and evaluation in a real prototype. - Work in an interdisciplinary field (e.g., work with clinicians).
**Your profile:** Background in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, biomedical engineering, applied physics, or in a closely related discipline. Practical experience in computer-aided design (CAD) desirable. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
In this project, you will develop a "plug & play" interface that allows the surgeon to safely attach and detach the endoscope from the motors. This includes the following work packages:
- Basic Research: Literature research is conducted on existing interface principles. In discussions with clinicians, requirements are identified with a special regard to safety.
- Concept development and implementation: Based on the literature research and own ideas, different concepts of such an interface are developed. The most promising concept is designed and manufactured.
- Testing, evaluation and characterization of the system with respect to the requirements.
In this project, you will develop a "plug & play" interface that allows the surgeon to safely attach and detach the endoscope from the motors. This includes the following work packages:
- Basic Research: Literature research is conducted on existing interface principles. In discussions with clinicians, requirements are identified with a special regard to safety. - Concept development and implementation: Based on the literature research and own ideas, different concepts of such an interface are developed. The most promising concept is designed and manufactured. - Testing, evaluation and characterization of the system with respect to the requirements.