Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has emerged as a critical alternative to laparoscopic excisional surgery for the removal of early gastrointestinal tumors. However, current robotic systems for ESD face challenges with accessibility, dexterity, and precision in confined spaces due to limitation...

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Main Authors: Kefan Zhu, Chi Cong Nguyen, Bibhu Sharma, Phuoc Thien Phan, Trung Thien Hoang, James Davies, Adrienne Ji, Emanuele Nicotra, Jingjing Wan, Patrick Pruscino, Sumeet Walia, Tat Thang Vo-Doan, Soo Jay Phee, Shing Wong, Nigel H. Lovell, Thanh Nho Do
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2025-01-01
Series:Cyborg and Bionic Systems
Online Access:https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/cbsystems.0289
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author Kefan Zhu
Chi Cong Nguyen
Bibhu Sharma
Phuoc Thien Phan
Trung Thien Hoang
James Davies
Adrienne Ji
Emanuele Nicotra
Jingjing Wan
Patrick Pruscino
Sumeet Walia
Tat Thang Vo-Doan
Soo Jay Phee
Shing Wong
Nigel H. Lovell
Thanh Nho Do
author_facet Kefan Zhu
Chi Cong Nguyen
Bibhu Sharma
Phuoc Thien Phan
Trung Thien Hoang
James Davies
Adrienne Ji
Emanuele Nicotra
Jingjing Wan
Patrick Pruscino
Sumeet Walia
Tat Thang Vo-Doan
Soo Jay Phee
Shing Wong
Nigel H. Lovell
Thanh Nho Do
author_sort Kefan Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has emerged as a critical alternative to laparoscopic excisional surgery for the removal of early gastrointestinal tumors. However, current robotic systems for ESD face challenges with accessibility, dexterity, and precision in confined spaces due to limitations in actuation methods and mechanical design. To overcome these issues, a new motorless, master–slave soft robotic system using hydraulic actuation is introduced for ESD procedures. This system features dual soft robotic arms: one serves as an electrosurgical tool, and the other serves as a 3-jaw soft tubular grasper. Notably, the entire system is powered purely by hydraulic force, eliminating the need for DC motors or complex electronic controllers. Inspired by nature, the grasper ensures even force distribution and removes rotational motion, reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury. Its scalable design and compliant properties allow for effective tissue manipulation in tight spaces, with strong pulling forces generated by the embedded soft actuation network. In vitro and ex vivo experiments on fresh porcine tissues demonstrate the system’s ability to grip and perform electrosurgical cutting on simulated lesions. This innovation has the potential to be applied in other areas of endoscopic surgery as well.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2692-7632
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
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series Cyborg and Bionic Systems
spelling doaj-art-c38d0d2108b24cae9f021ef8870d93bc2025-08-20T03:25:30ZengAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)Cyborg and Bionic Systems2692-76322025-01-01610.34133/cbsystems.0289Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic SurgeryKefan Zhu0Chi Cong Nguyen1Bibhu Sharma2Phuoc Thien Phan3Trung Thien Hoang4James Davies5Adrienne Ji6Emanuele Nicotra7Jingjing Wan8Patrick Pruscino9Sumeet Walia10Tat Thang Vo-Doan11Soo Jay Phee12Shing Wong13Nigel H. Lovell14Thanh Nho Do15Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Centre for Opto-electronic Materials and Sensors, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney and Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has emerged as a critical alternative to laparoscopic excisional surgery for the removal of early gastrointestinal tumors. However, current robotic systems for ESD face challenges with accessibility, dexterity, and precision in confined spaces due to limitations in actuation methods and mechanical design. To overcome these issues, a new motorless, master–slave soft robotic system using hydraulic actuation is introduced for ESD procedures. This system features dual soft robotic arms: one serves as an electrosurgical tool, and the other serves as a 3-jaw soft tubular grasper. Notably, the entire system is powered purely by hydraulic force, eliminating the need for DC motors or complex electronic controllers. Inspired by nature, the grasper ensures even force distribution and removes rotational motion, reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury. Its scalable design and compliant properties allow for effective tissue manipulation in tight spaces, with strong pulling forces generated by the embedded soft actuation network. In vitro and ex vivo experiments on fresh porcine tissues demonstrate the system’s ability to grip and perform electrosurgical cutting on simulated lesions. This innovation has the potential to be applied in other areas of endoscopic surgery as well.https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/cbsystems.0289
spellingShingle Kefan Zhu
Chi Cong Nguyen
Bibhu Sharma
Phuoc Thien Phan
Trung Thien Hoang
James Davies
Adrienne Ji
Emanuele Nicotra
Jingjing Wan
Patrick Pruscino
Sumeet Walia
Tat Thang Vo-Doan
Soo Jay Phee
Shing Wong
Nigel H. Lovell
Thanh Nho Do
Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
Cyborg and Bionic Systems
title Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
title_full Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
title_fullStr Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
title_short Development of a Bioinspired Soft Robotic System for Teleoperated Endoscopic Surgery
title_sort development of a bioinspired soft robotic system for teleoperated endoscopic surgery
url https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/cbsystems.0289
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