
robotic assistive surgery.
Project director: Dr. Joseph Siu
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive
surgical technique that has been aninvaluable tool for diagnosing abdominal
pathology. It can be
performed with manually operated graspers. It can
also be performed with
robotic surgical systems
such as the daVinci™
Surgical System from
Intuitive Surgical. The novel
abilities of such systems in
terms of precision and
efficiency have recently
received great attention.
However, the best methods
for training surgeons in
robotic laparoscopy have not been
established. This problem is addressed with
various research projects performed by our
laboratory, and in conjunction with medical
doctors from the University of Nebraska
Medical Center. We have been able to
identify several parameters that can be
used to judge proficiency in robotic surgery.
In addition, we are in the process of
developing feedback techniques to improve
performance and a virtual reality training
simulator. Our work is supported by funds
from the Nebraska Research Initiative. Our
ultimate goal is to develop an international
certificate program for surgeons training in
robotic laparoscopy administered here in
Omaha.
Our new research scientist, Joseph Siu, PhD is
heading the laboratory’s efforts toward this
project. Dr. Joseph Siu has a BS degree in physical therapy from Kaoshiung Medican University, Taiwan ROC and a Ph.D in Motor Control and Biomechanics from University of Oregon. A
multidisciplinary
team of students is
also contributing to
the success of this
research: Bernadette Brown-Clerk (Mechanical Engineering, BE), Dimitrios Katsavelis (Exercise Science, MS) and Irene H. Lee (Computer Science, MS).
Several of our research results have been
presented at these national conferences:
the American Society of Biomechanics, the
Society for American Gastrointestinal and
Endoscopic Surgeons, the IEEE Conference
on Rehabilitation Robotics, and at the
Medicine Meets Virtual Reality Conference.
In addition, some of the research outcomes
are published in Surgical
Endoscopy and other clinical journals.
We are also participating in the Center
for Advancement of Surgical Technology
(CAST). CAST is a collaborative effort
between UNO, UNMC, and the UNL to
facilitate interaction and collaborative
research between surgeons, physicians, life
scientists, engineers, and computer
scientists specifically interested in
contributing to work on the advancement
of surgical technology. Currently, this
collaboration has resulted in several
patent-pending technologies and work is
continuing on other devices. Current
CAST members are Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov
(UNMC), Dr. Shane Farritor (UNL), Dr.
Susan Hallbeck (UNL), Dr. Stephen Platt
(UNL), Dr. Nick Stergiou (UNO), and
administrator Marsha Morien (UNMC).