Lack of haptic feedback has been identified as a barrier to adoption of robotic platforms, particularly during gastrointestinal procedures as they require both grasping and shear sensation to perform delicate anastomoses and dissections. The present proposal will further develop the capabilities of a Haptic Feedback System (HFS) to deliver this bi-axial sensory information from the surgical graspers to the fingertips of the operating surgeon in a robotic platform. The current HFS detects grasping forces via piezoresistive sensors, delivering this signal wirelessly through pneumatic balloon actuators. Previous results have shown that when using the HFS surgeons perform tasks more quickly with decreased grasping force, thereby resulting in decreased tissue damage. However, the current system is limited by its size and its uniaxial capabilities. Thus, novel capacitive tooth sensor microarrays were developed resulting in a wider range of force sensation along with an improved ability to withstand biological environments. Based on this superior performance, we have designed a bi-axial microarray to accommodate both grasping and shear forces. The present studies will fabricate these sensor arrays, characterize and integrate them within the current HFS framework, and evaluate their impact in gastrointestinal procedures. Specifically, we focus on the RouxenY Gastric Bypass as it has recently garnered more support in translation to the robotic platform. We will evaluate the effect of auxiliary haptic feedback on grp force, shear force, anastomosis integrity, surgical duration, surgical complications, and tissue damage in a porcine model. In addition, we will perform human feasibility trials for Totally Robotic RouxenY Gastric Bypass with haptic feedback to further translate the HFS towards comprehensive clinical trials.

Public Health Relevance

This project will develop a new bi-axial capacitive based sensor and corresponding vibrotactile actuator system to be integrated with the current pneumatic Haptic Feedback System (HFS) for use in gastrointestinal surgical procedures. This proposal builds on previous work to translate a novel and more commercially viable HFS into preclinical and clinical models to assess safety and efficacy. Our efforts will be focused specifically on the Roux- en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure due to the recent increase in robotic platform use for this procedure, and great potential for a reduction in complications and procedure time using HFS equipped robots.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB019473-03
Application #
9114102
Study Section
Bioengineering, Technology and Surgical Sciences Study Section (BTSS)
Program Officer
Krosnick, Steven
Project Start
2014-09-25
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Abiri, Ahmad; Juo, Yen-Yi; Tao, Anna et al. (2018) Artificial palpation in robotic surgery using haptic feedback. Surg Endosc :
Abiri, Ahmad; Tao, Anna; LaRocca, Meg et al. (2017) Visual-perceptual mismatch in robotic surgery. Surg Endosc 31:3271-3278
Abiri, Ahmad; Paydar, Omeed; Tao, Anna et al. (2017) Tensile strength and failure load of sutures for robotic surgery. Surg Endosc 31:3258-3270