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Mechatronics in Medicine | MiM Lab

The MIM Lab develops robotic and mechatronics surgical systems for a variety of procedures.

Head of Group

B415C Bessemer Building
South Kensington Campus

+44 (0)20 7594 7046

What we do

The Mechatronics in Medicine Laboratory develops robotic and mechatronics surgical systems for a variety of procedures including neuro, cardiovascular, orthopaedic surgeries, and colonoscopies. Examples include bio-inspired catheters that can navigate along complex paths within the brain (such as EDEN2020), soft robots to explore endoluminal anatomies (such as the colon), and virtual reality solutions to support surgeons during knee replacement surgeries.

Why is it important

The integration of mechatronics into medicine addresses critical challenges in modern healthcare by enhancing the precision, safety, and efficiency of surgical procedures. Traditional surgeries often involve significant risks and extended recovery times. By developing robotic systems that offer greater accuracy and control, we aim to minimise these risks and reduce invasiveness. Our research contributes to the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, which are essential for improving patient outcomes and optimising healthcare resources. Furthermore, our work supports the training of the next generation of surgeons, equipping them with cutting-edge tools and methodologies that reflect the evolving landscape of medical technology.

How can it benefit patients

Patients stand to gain significantly from the innovations developed at the Mechatronics in Medicine Laboratory. Our robotic systems are designed to perform surgeries with enhanced precision, leading to fewer complications and faster recovery times. Minimally invasive procedures facilitated by our technologies result in less postoperative pain and reduced scarring, improving the overall patient experience. Additionally, the increased accuracy of our systems can lead to better surgical outcomes, such as more complete tumour removals or more precise joint replacements, thereby improving long-term health prospects. By pushing the boundaries of medical robotics, we strive to make advanced surgical care more accessible and effective for patients worldwide.

Meet the team

Dr Daniel Bautista Salinas
Research Associate

Dr Kaiwen Chen
Research Associate

Dr Zejian Cui
Research Associate

Mr Connor Daly
Research Postgraduate

Emeritus Professor Brian L Davies FREng
Emeritus Professor

Dr Hisham M Iqbal
Honorary Research Associate

Mr Alex Tian Jie Ranne
Casual - Lib. Ass, Clerks & Gen. Admin Assistants

Professor Ferdinando M Rodriguez y Baena
Co-Director of Hamlyn Centre, Professor of Medical Robotics

Dr Jialei Shi
Research Associate

Mr Spyridon Souipas
Casual - Other work

Ms Emilia Zari
Research Postgraduate

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Leibinger:2016:10.1098/rsfs.2015.0107,
author = {Leibinger, A and Oldfield, M and Rodriguez, y Baena F},
doi = {10.1098/rsfs.2015.0107},
journal = {Interface Focus},
title = {Minimally disruptive needle insertion: a biologically inspired solution},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2015.0107},
volume = {6},
year = {2016}
}

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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - The mobility of soft tissue can cause inaccurate needle insertions. Particularly in steering applications that employ thin and flexible needles, l arge deviationscan occur between preoperative images of the patient, from which a procedure is planned, and the intraoperative scene, where a procedure is executed. Whereas many approaches for reducing tissue motion focus on external constraining or manipulation, little attention has been paid to the way the needle is inserted and actuated within soft tissue. Using our biologically inspiredsteerable needle, we present a methodof reducing the disruptivenessof insertionsby mimicking the burrowing mechanism of ovipositing wasps. Internal displacements and strains in three dimensionswithin a soft tissue phantom are measured at the needle interface,using ascanninglaser basedimage correlation technique.Compared to a conventional insertion methodwith an equally sized needle,overall displacementsand strainsin the needle vicinity arereduced by 30% and 41%, respectively.The results show that, for a given net speed,needle insertion can be made significantly less disruptive with respect to its surroundings by employing our biologically inspired solution. This will have significant impact on both the safety and targeting accuracy of percutaneous interventions along both straight and curved trajectories
AU  - Leibinger,A
AU  - Oldfield,M
AU  - Rodriguez,y Baena F
DO  - 10.1098/rsfs.2015.0107
PY  - 2016///
SN  - 2042-8898
TI  - Minimally disruptive needle insertion: a biologically inspired solution
T2  - Interface Focus
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2015.0107
VL  - 6
ER  -

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