IMechE Seminar- Mechatronics in Medicine, Healthcare and Rehabilitation- Nov 2003 Force Feedback Mechatronics in Medecine, Healthcare and

Abstract

Robotics force feedback technologies provide the feeling of directly holding remote instruments. This is true in nuclear applications where remote operations are required due to the hazardous environment. This is also true in surgery applications, in particular in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), when organs cannot be accessed directly. During surgery procedures, the surgeon should have the feeling in his hands of holding directly the surgical instruments interacting with the patient. Both applications emphasize therefore same type of needs for high performance force feedback Mechatronic components. We aim therefore benefits from research and development results from the field of Mechatronics for Telerobotics to provide good basis for improvement in medical technology. Many similarities could also be pointed out with various other applications requiring force feedback features for gesture guidance or training: medical learning course with help of haptic and virtual reality technologies, kinaesthetic and physical assist device for rehabilitation, aged people or disable people. 1