Surgery needs precise cuts and incisions, and the tinier the sutures, the less scarring can be expected. We would like non-invasive surgeries, to say the least, but most surgeries are inside the body. Thus, bioengineers have the constant goal of making minimally-invasive surgeries easily achievable, with less expertise needed by the surgeon.

A team at Vanderbilt University has made these challenging surgeries potentially easier with the creation of a tiny mechanical wrist, which bends dynamically up to 90 degrees. It could into the body of the patients through tiny sutures and work the magic of a perfect surgery. The patient would enjoy virtually no scarring, and a short recovery period.

This instrument is made up of a tube of nitinol, which is a metal alloy of nickel and titanium that can be molded at a set curvature. The tube has four to five holes cut in to it, and a wire attached to the top, which allows it to bend for extreme flexibility. Variation of pressure of the wire will alter the angle of bend accordingly, and releasing the wire altogether would return the arm to its former upright position. The diameter to this wrist is a mere 1.16 mm.

Micro-laparoscopy (or needlescopic surgery) procedures, are helped immensely as this hand could go through natural orifices likes the ear and nose and perform surgeries with a camera attached for visual aid.

“We think once we give this tool to surgeons, they will find all kinds of applications we haven’t thought of,” said research team lead Robert Webster.

The first trial surgery is to be performed through the nasal orifice. The software to be used to control the hand is yet to be developed completed. After this, the FDA approval could take up to four years for this device to be out in the market.

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Author:Technology Blog