Project 461755

Robotic surgery provides surgeons with the ability to perform surgical procedures with improved visualization, precision and access in small spaces. This has allowed for the development of new surgical techniques that are less invasive resulting in improved patient outcomes. However, existing robotic surgical systems are large and therefore have seen more limited use in pediatric patients compared to adults. This is mainly due to the challenges of developing surgical robots that are smaller given the difficulty in producing very small components that are complex. The development of smaller robotic instruments requires unique methods that allows miniaturization. The development of smaller robotic instruments would allow for more widespread use in children who may benefit from the enhanced capabilities of robotic surgical technology. We have previously developed a prototype of a unique robotic tool that is smaller than existing robotic surgical instruments. We developed the instrument to perform cleft palate surgery, a technically difficult operation that is performed within the small space of an infants mouth. The instrument was developed using a physical model that simulates the performance of cleft palate surgery. The proposed research aims to continue the development of the instruments to make final prototypes that are capable of performing a cleft palate repair. This will involve further testing of the prototype to finalize the design and developing the tool using more precise manufacturing techniques to perform final testing. Further testing using the simulator will be performed as well as computer simulations to determine the best technique to perform a robotic cleft palate repair. The process of developing advanced surgical tools using very detailed physical models provides an accelerated pathway for tool development. Although initially developed for cleft palate surgery, the new instruments are valuable tools for a wide range of pediatric surgical procedures.