Animal surgical experiments using the NSRS have been successfully carried out.
From outer to inner space
While the architectural design and functionalities of the NSRS are based on the professional insights and experience of seasoned surgeons, the implementation of the design relied heavily on the PolyU team’s experience producing tool systems for use in space exploration. Among other achievements, Prof. Yung’s team developed a Rock Corer for the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission, the Soil Preparation System for the Sino-Russian Phobos-Grunt mission and advanced robotic systems for China’s Chang’e 3 lunar exploration mission and the upcoming Chang’e 5 mission. That experience made team members proficient in miniaturising complex machinery with high strength and power-to-weight ratios that is capable of operating reliably in extreme environments.
Prof. Timothy W. Tong, PolyU President, said, “Our multi-disciplinary approach of innovatively combining materials’ properties, design and mechatronics has led to the production of reduced-size, light-weight and high-precision instruments. The next challenge is the application of these space technologies for civilian purposes.”
The NSRS is a highly portable platform that can be mounted on any standard surgical table. It features a 3D camera, and can be fitted with three or more surgical robotic arms that take different tools. Each robotic arm is driven by internal micro-motors and capable of up to 7 degrees of freedom, while the whole robotic system is capable of up to 10 degrees of freedom. Drawing heavily on the PolyU team’s familiarity with space technology, the NSRS features motors that are both small enough and able to generate sufficient force to perform various surgical operations inside the human body.
