Tiny Capsule Restores Sense of Touch to Surgeons

Oct-19-13 A prototype wireless capsule developed to give surgeons a sense of touch during laparoscopies could help restore the tactile feedback that surgeons have lost as they transition to more minimally invasive procedures.

Many surgeons rely on their sense of touch locate hidden tumors and blood vessels—a procedure called palpitation. To extend the benefits of palpitation to minimally invasive surgery, a team from Vanderbilt University created a tiny capsule that houses a pressure sensor, wireless transmitter, accelerometer, magnetometer and battery.

The capsule can be attached to the end of the laparoscope, inserted through the small ports used for “keyhole” surgery, and pressed against the target tissue. As the surgeon moves the capsule over the tissue, the sensors gather information about the capsule’s position and the force being applied. That data is sent to a computer that creates a false-color map of tissue stiffness, revealing hidden tumors, arteries and other structures hidden under healthy tissue.

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[MEDGADGET.COM]
[VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY]

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