Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery

This study introduces a Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control (NVAC) architecture designed to enhance precision and safety in robot-assisted surgery. The proposed system enables semi-autonomous guidance of the laparoscope based on image input. To achieve this, the architecture integrates the following: (1)...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Claudio Urrea, Yainet Garcia-Garcia, John Kern, Reinier Rodriguez-Guillen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Technologies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/135
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850180205768867840
author Claudio Urrea
Yainet Garcia-Garcia
John Kern
Reinier Rodriguez-Guillen
author_facet Claudio Urrea
Yainet Garcia-Garcia
John Kern
Reinier Rodriguez-Guillen
author_sort Claudio Urrea
collection DOAJ
description This study introduces a Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control (NVAC) architecture designed to enhance precision and safety in robot-assisted surgery. The proposed system enables semi-autonomous guidance of the laparoscope based on image input. To achieve this, the architecture integrates the following: (1) a computer vision system based on the YOLO11n model, which detects surgical instruments in real time; (2) a Model Reference Adaptive Control with Proportional–Derivative terms (MRAC-PD), which adjusts the robot’s behavior in response to environmental changes; and (3) Closed-Form Continuous-Time Neural Networks (CfC-mmRNNs), which efficiently model the system’s dynamics. These networks address common deep learning challenges, such as the vanishing gradient problem, and facilitate the generation of smooth control signals that minimize wear on the robot’s actuators. Performance evaluations were conducted in CoppeliaSim, utilizing real cholecystectomy images featuring surgical tools. Experimental results demonstrate that the NVAC achieves maximum tracking errors of 1.80 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>3</sup> m, 1.08 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>4</sup> m, and 1.90 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>3</sup> m along the x, y, and z axes, respectively, under highly significant dynamic disturbances. This hybrid approach provides a scalable framework for advancing autonomy in robotic surgery.
format Article
id doaj-art-bb49cf3e7ddd4707893a2ccde48bb081
institution OA Journals
issn 2227-7080
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Technologies
spelling doaj-art-bb49cf3e7ddd4707893a2ccde48bb0812025-08-20T02:18:15ZengMDPI AGTechnologies2227-70802025-04-0113413510.3390/technologies13040135Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted SurgeryClaudio Urrea0Yainet Garcia-Garcia1John Kern2Reinier Rodriguez-Guillen3Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Las Sophoras 165, Estación Central, Santiago 9170020, ChileElectrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Las Sophoras 165, Estación Central, Santiago 9170020, ChileElectrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Las Sophoras 165, Estación Central, Santiago 9170020, ChileElectrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Las Sophoras 165, Estación Central, Santiago 9170020, ChileThis study introduces a Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control (NVAC) architecture designed to enhance precision and safety in robot-assisted surgery. The proposed system enables semi-autonomous guidance of the laparoscope based on image input. To achieve this, the architecture integrates the following: (1) a computer vision system based on the YOLO11n model, which detects surgical instruments in real time; (2) a Model Reference Adaptive Control with Proportional–Derivative terms (MRAC-PD), which adjusts the robot’s behavior in response to environmental changes; and (3) Closed-Form Continuous-Time Neural Networks (CfC-mmRNNs), which efficiently model the system’s dynamics. These networks address common deep learning challenges, such as the vanishing gradient problem, and facilitate the generation of smooth control signals that minimize wear on the robot’s actuators. Performance evaluations were conducted in CoppeliaSim, utilizing real cholecystectomy images featuring surgical tools. Experimental results demonstrate that the NVAC achieves maximum tracking errors of 1.80 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>3</sup> m, 1.08 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>4</sup> m, and 1.90 × 10<sup>−</sup><sup>3</sup> m along the x, y, and z axes, respectively, under highly significant dynamic disturbances. This hybrid approach provides a scalable framework for advancing autonomy in robotic surgery.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/135autonomous robotic surgical assistantmodel reference-based neuro-visual adaptive controlsurgical instrument detectionCfC-mmRNNdata-driven inverse modelingvisual tracking
spellingShingle Claudio Urrea
Yainet Garcia-Garcia
John Kern
Reinier Rodriguez-Guillen
Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
Technologies
autonomous robotic surgical assistant
model reference-based neuro-visual adaptive control
surgical instrument detection
CfC-mmRNN
data-driven inverse modeling
visual tracking
title Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
title_full Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
title_fullStr Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
title_full_unstemmed Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
title_short Neuro-Visual Adaptive Control for Precision in Robot-Assisted Surgery
title_sort neuro visual adaptive control for precision in robot assisted surgery
topic autonomous robotic surgical assistant
model reference-based neuro-visual adaptive control
surgical instrument detection
CfC-mmRNN
data-driven inverse modeling
visual tracking
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/4/135
work_keys_str_mv AT claudiourrea neurovisualadaptivecontrolforprecisioninrobotassistedsurgery
AT yainetgarciagarcia neurovisualadaptivecontrolforprecisioninrobotassistedsurgery
AT johnkern neurovisualadaptivecontrolforprecisioninrobotassistedsurgery
AT reinierrodriguezguillen neurovisualadaptivecontrolforprecisioninrobotassistedsurgery