Asensus Surgical: Collaborative Innovation in Surgical Robotics – PickNik Robotics and Asensus Surgical
Introduction
Asensus Surgical, a medical device company, advances minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery through cutting-edge technology. Asensus Surgical partnered with PickNik Robotics, a leader in robotic software development, to focus on integrating advanced robotic capabilities into Asensus’s surgical systems, optimizing performance, and driving innovation in robotic-assisted surgery.
The Challenge
Asensus Surgical’s goal was to develop a new virtual surgical system to improve on the existing Senhance system. The system was to be designed from the ground up, allowing for an improved interface with surgeons as well as updated robotics techniques to ensure the best surgical performance possible. To achieve this goal, Asensus and PickNik collaborated to identify the following stages of development and each step’s challenges:
- Design: selecting novel technologies for the surgical console and de-risking and analyzing the capabilities of the selected technologies
- Integration: integrating the created tracking system with the rest of Asensus’s technology stack, including operating the robot and use in simulation
- Real-Time Performance: ensuring the system’s real-time capabilities met the rigorous demands of surgical procedures
The Technology
Asensus’s next-generation virtual surgical system endeavors build on Senhance’s success in every regard. This is in stark contrast to traditional vision/perception, where the vast majority of data is wasted.
Using advanced technology in vision and perception for optical tracking allowed for extremely precise and high-rate tracking of the desired motions. Final benchmarks of the developed tracking system indicated that the system was capable of tracking motion while achieving a pose estimation error of less than a millimeter in position and less than a degree in orientation.
A robust calibration tool ensures that the pose estimation system is operating at peak performance.
Achievements and Outcomes
Design
PickNik and Asensus designed the optical tracking system as well as tools to be tracked by the system. The optical tracking system mounts easily to any console, and an included tool allows viewing of the resulting workspace. This tool also allows for designers to easily modify the positions and see the resulting workspace, so they can be confident that users will have enough room with any configuration. The hand-held tools themselves are lightweight and ergonomic, and can be tracked from any position and orientation within the workspace, allowing the user to focus on what is important rather than worrying about the constraints of the system they are using.
Integration
The optical tracking system integrates flawlessly with the rest of Asensus’s virtual surgical system, communicating with simulator or robot hardware with equal ease. When working with PickNik, Asensus was able to specify their needs with regards to interfaces and be confident that those specifications would be exactly met.
Performance
Ultimately, the surgical tracking system designed by PickNik and Asensus resulted in better precision, higher frequency, and more modular tracking than any existing commercial off-the-shelf options. The software is robust, performant, well-tested, and meets real-time specifications. Overall, the system as a whole will enable Asensus’s next generation virtual surgical system to continue utilizing cutting-edge robotics and software to improve surgical results for patients.
Positive Feedback and Future Prospects
Feedback from testers and the Asensus team was overwhelmingly positive. The collaboration not only achieved the immediate technical goals but also laid the groundwork for future advancements in surgical robotics.
Conclusion
The strategic partnership between PickNik Robotics and Asensus Surgical exemplifies collaboration and technological innovation for medical devices. By combining their expertise, the two companies enhanced the capabilities of the Senhance® Surgical System, setting new standards in robotic-assisted surgery. This case study highlights the importance of collaboration, technical excellence, and a shared vision in achieving breakthrough advancements in healthcare technology.
Asensus Surgical
Asensus Surgical is transforming the surgical landscape with its Digital Laparoscopy platform. The Senhance® Surgical System utilizes robotic technologies to aid surgeon precision and improve patient outcomes. By allowing for more precise and less invasive laparoscopy, Asensus is setting new standards in surgical care.
PickNik Robotics
PickNik Robotics is a leading developer of robotic arm applications, providing cutting-edge software and services to automate complex tasks. Our flagship product, MoveIt Pro, is designed to help organizations achieve unprecedented efficiency and precision in their robotic operations. Founded in Boulder, Colorado, PickNik Robotics is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of robotics.
