TU/e, Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+) and the company Microsure are joining forces around the development of a microsurgical robot. Combining their medical and engineering expertise, the parties are developing an operating robot for highly complex microsurgical procedures. At the beginning of June, a milestone was achieved: at MUMC+, a patient was operated on with the microsurgical robot MUSA-3 for the first time.
Advanced micro and super micro surgery is a form of surgery in which surgeons are supported by robots. This robotic support makes highly complex microsurgical procedures more widely applicable, which in practice means that these procedures can be performed in more hospitals. Patients benefit, including through shorter waiting times and shorter travel times to undergo such treatments.
Cross-pollination
Engineers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and microsurgeons at Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+) joined forces to further develop micro- and super microsurgery. Microsure was founded in 2016 as a TU/e spin-off. The company developed the MUSA-3 surgical robot.
Tom van Mulken, plastic surgeon at MUMC+ and co-founder of Microsure, points out the added value of the collaboration between technological and medical experts. "Without the cross-pollination between different disciplines, we could not have realised this surgical robot," says Van Mulken.
MUSA-3
The MUSA-3 system consists of two main components: a surgical console and a robotic arm cart. The surgeon operates the system from the console, while familiar instruments are used via adapters. The system enables suturing with high accuracy and complex movements, even in challenging situations.
The surgeon looks at the operating area on the console via a digital or hybrid microscope. Control is via joysticks with a wide range of movement. The movements of the joysticks are transferred to the robotic arms, using motion scaling and vibration filtering to increase precision. This makes it possible to operate with high precision.
Does not replace surgeons
Those involved emphasise that the surgical robots do not replace surgeons, but rather enhance human skills. The surgeon always remains at the controls and retains full control. The robot provides support at times when very high precision is required.
Van Mulken: "The cooperation between surgeon and technology provides more stability and precision during surgery. This in turn increases the chances of a better outcome and faster recovery for the patient."
Clinical study
The surgery performed at MUMC+ is part of a clinical study. This study investigates how robotic support can contribute to high-precision reconstructive microsurgical procedures. Examples include breast reconstruction after breast cancer, treatment of lymphoedema by connecting small lymphatic vessels with blood vessels, complex reconstructions after trauma or cancer, or restoration of nerve function after injury.
The aim of the clinical study is to identify whether the surgical robot can help shorten operation times, reduce complications and shorten hospital stays. In this way, TU/e, MUMC+ and Microsure aim to make healthcare provision more efficient and reduce the costs of the healthcare system as a whole.
