Smart laparoscopic grasper integrated with fiber Bragg grating based tactile sensor for real-time force feedback

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Technology
• Sensing Technology

Background:

• Minimally invasive surgery offers benefits but lacks tactile force feedback, risking tissue damage.
• Existing force sensors are often bulky, insecure, or complex.
• Accurate force sensing is crucial for preventing iatrogenic injury during surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a compact tactile sensor for laparoscopic graspers.
• To provide real-time force feedback to surgeons during minimally invasive procedures.
• To reduce tissue damage by enabling precise gripping force control.

Main Methods:

• Integration of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) into a laparoscopic grasper tip.
• Characterization of the sensor's force sensitivity (0.076 nm/N) and accuracy (0.118 N).
• Bench testing in a laparoscopic training box with novice surgeons, comparing performance with and without force feedback.

Main Results:

• The FBG-based tactile sensor demonstrated high sensitivity and repeatability.
• Novice surgeons using the force-feedback grasper showed significantly reduced peak and standard deviation gripping forces.
• The smart grasper facilitated better control over applied forces compared to unassisted grasping.

Conclusions:

• The proposed FBG tactile sensor effectively provides real-time force feedback in laparoscopic surgery.
• This technology enhances gripping force control, particularly for novice surgeons.
• The smart grasper has the potential to minimize unnecessary tissue trauma during minimally invasive procedures.