Efficient design of precision medical robotics

Abstract

Medical robotics is increasingly demonstrating the potential to improve patient care through more precise interventions. However, taking inspiration from industrial robotics has often resulted in large, sometimes cumbersome designs, which represent high capital and per procedure expenditures, as well as increased procedure times. This thesis proposes and demonstrates an alternative model and method for developing economical, appropriately scaled medical robots that improve care and efficiency, while moderating costs. Key to this approach is a structured design process that actively reduces complexity. A selected medical procedure is decomposed into discrete tasks which are then separated into those that are conducted satisfactorily and those where the clinician encounters limitations, often where robots' strengths would be complimentary. Then by following deterministic principles and with continual user participation, prototyping and testing, a system can be designed that integrates into and assists with current procedures, rather than requiring a completely new protocol. This model is expected to lay the groundwork for increasing the use of hands-on technology in interventional medicine.