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Micro-Technologies and Systems for Robot-Assisted Laser Phonomicrosurgery

Project description


Cognitive Systems and Robotics
Micro-Technologies and Systems for Robot-assisted Laser Phonomicrosurgery
Lasers form an increasingly common tool for precision treatment of pathological conditions on delicate and vital human organs. However, laser aiming control relies completely on the dexterity of surgeons. µRALP proposes a redesign of laser phonomicrosurgery systems in order to create an advanced micro-surgical system through research and development of real-time cancer tissue imaging, surgeon-machine interfaces, assistive teleoperation, intelligent/cognitive safety systems and augmented-reality. The research will also allow relocating the laser actuator closer to the surgical site. This will bring unprecedented levels of accessibility and precision, while the surgeon will operate in a more ergonomic, information-rich, and assistive environment. The outcomes of the project will improve quality, safety, and effectiveness in laser phonomicrosurgery, enabling total tumour removal with minimal damage to healthy tissue and leading to a significantly enhanced capacity for cancer treatment in general.

Lasers form an increasingly common tool for precision treatment of pathological conditions on delicate and vital human organs. Laser phonomicrosurgery, which is a suite of complex otolaryngological surgical techniques for the treatment of minute abnormalities in the larynx, is one such example. However, laser aiming control for this procedure relies completely on the dexterity of surgeons, who must operate through a microscope and deal with its associated poor ergonomics, and this can have a strong impact on the quality of the procedures. In addition, the laser beam is directed from a comparatively large range (400mm), resulting in accuracy and consistency problems, and requiring extensive surgeon training. In this multidisciplinary project a redesign of this surgical setup is proposed to create an advanced augmented micro-surgical system through research and development of real-time cancer tissue imaging, surgeon-machine interfaces, assistive teleoperation, intelligent (cognitive) safety systems, and augmented-reality. Furthermore, research and development of new endoscopic tools and precision micro-robotic end effectors will allow relocating the laser actuator closer to the surgical site. This will allow unprecedented levels of accessibility and precision, while the surgeon will operate in a more ergonomic, information-rich, and assistive environment. The outcomes of the project will be improved quality, safety, and effectiveness in laser phonomicrosurgery, enabling total tumour removal with minimal damage to healthy tissue. The research efforts herein will generate new knowledge in the design and control of medical micro-mechatronic devices; cancer tissue imaging; assistive teleoperation in medicine; physician-robot interfaces; and cognitive computer vision. These technological advances will pave the way towards new and safer minimally invasive laser microsurgeries, leading to a significantly enhanced capacity for cancer treatment in general.

Fields of science

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

FP7-ICT-2011-7
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Funding Scheme

CP - Collaborative project (generic)

Coordinator

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Address
Via morego 30
16163 Genova
Italy

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Region
Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova
Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
SIMONA VENTRIGLIA (Ms.)
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EU contribution
No data

Participants (6)

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Last update: 22 April 2017

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/288663

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