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Medical Robotics

In the last decades robotics and mechatronics have found their way into many medical applications. Especially surgery has shown large potential for the use of robotic systems. The goal in medical robotics is thereby not to replace the surgeon by a robot, but to provide the surgeon with new treatment options to the benefit of the patient. Although this technology is still in its early stages, it will considerably change future surgery.

Since more than 15 years the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics contributes to this process with various research activities. The successfully completed projects include among others the implementation of a robot-assisted endoscope guidance (1996–2008), the development of the ventricular assist device (VAD) DLR Heart (2002–2004), which was licensed by DUALIS MedTech GmbH, and the development of the versatile surgical robot DLR KineMedic (2002–2007) in cooperation with Brainlab AG.

Currently the research activities of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in the medical field focus on the following topics:

Telemanipulation in Minimally Invasive Surgery


Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) challenges the surgeon’s skills due to his separation from the operation area which can be reached by long laparoscopic instruments only. To overcome the drawbacks of conventional MIS the DLR works on a research system for telerobotic endoscopic surgery.
Full article

Robotic Waterjet Surgery


In waterjet surgery a thin and high pressure waterjet is used to wash soft tissue away whereas structures with a higher mechanical resistance against the waterjet impact like nerves and vessels remain intact. By use of robotics the minimally invasive field of applications for waterjet surgery can be expanded.
Full article

Force free input


Optical-Inertial Input Device Tracking for Robot Control
Full article

Intraoperative Detection of Arteries Using Ultrasonic Sound


A problem of minimally invasive robotic surgery (MIRS) is the absence of haptic feedback from the operation site. In conventional surgery, however, palpation is commonly used to detect superficial arteries by a slight pulsation. The DLR develops a system based on a new, unidirectional ultrasonic probe, which enables the surgeon to palpate such arteries also in minimally invasive interventions.
Full article

Human Factors


The most important goals of the research activities in the field of Ergonomics / Human Factors are the definition of user requirements and the empirical evaluation of human-machine-interfaces (HMIs)
Full article

MIRO Innovation Lab


An open innovation lab funded by the Helmholtz Association to support cooperative research in medical robotics.
Full article

You want to participate in our research in the context of a student research project or an internship?

We are always looking for skilled and motivated university students. On the subpage Job offers you can find a selection of currently available thesis and internship topics at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics. In case you find no appropriate topic there, you can also send us a spontaneous application.

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