Novel Spherical Mechanism for Minimally

Introduction Minimally invasive surgical instruments coupled with robotics are being used in a vast array of modern surgeries to minimize patient trauma and reduce recovery time. As these instruments progress in their capabilities, the need for smaller and more robust mechanical joints becomes increasingly urgent. Technology description Researchers at the UW have developed a spherical mechanism for minimally invasive surgical instruments. This mechanism is a novel approach to manipulator design and allows for the continued reduction of size in components. In comparison to other available techniques, the spherical mechanism has been demonstrated to most accurately encompass the surgeon’s usable workspace and their actual movements. Business opportunity Due to the many benefits of minimally invasive surgery, the market is expected to grow to
$18 billion by 2011 worldwide and $11 billion in the U.S. This mechanism will be a useful component in any robotic surgical system. Stage of development Prototype available Intellectual property position U.S. patent pending

Type of Offer: Licensing



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