Laparoscopic manipulator with haptics force feedback

Surgeons rely solely on sight when teleoperating robotic surgical systems. Our robotic laparoscopic manipulator will incorporate force feedback technology that will provide the operator with an artificial sense of touch. A biocompatible sheath will shield the manipulator and allow it to be reused for up to 200 surgeries. The forceps of an Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. ENDOPATH^® endoscopic hand instrument will be adapted to a mechanical wrist with two degrees of freedom to create a robotic laparoscopic manipulator. Force sensors, a program written in C, and the SensAble Phantom Omni Controller will comprise the haptics force feedback technology. Our tests will be able to indicate the ratio at which inputs are reciprocated by the robot. Ultimately, our product will reduce the learning curve and add invaluable precision to robotic surgical systems.