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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

@inproceedings{Bowyer:2016:10.1145/2993369.2993392,
author = {Bowyer, SA and Rodriguez, y Baena F},
doi = {10.1145/2993369.2993392},
pages = {173--182},
publisher = {ACM},
title = {A hybrid constraint-penalty proxy method for six degree-of-freedom haptic display of deforming objects},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2993369.2993392},
year = {2016}
}

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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - There are many applications and tasks in which the precise, high-fidelity haptic display of deforming objects is required. A crucial element in haptic rendering is the definition of a proxy pose that follows the motion of the user, while respecting the geometry of the object being displayed. Conventional methods for computing the dynamics of a proxy interacting with a deforming object suffer from several issues relating to numerical instabilities when the proxy becomes over-constrained and high computational demands. This paper presents a novel hybrid proxy that combines modified versions of constraint-based and penalty-based proxies together to give high fidelity rendering with reduced computational requirements and enhanced robustness to situations where the proxy becomes enclosed. Experimental analysis of the proposed method shows that it can efficiently compute proxy dynamics that faithfully render the required object. This research forms a basis for further development of novel hybrid dynamic proxies for haptics and allows for increasingly complex deforming geometries to be rendered.
AU  - Bowyer,SA
AU  - Rodriguez,y Baena F
DO  - 10.1145/2993369.2993392
EP  - 182
PB  - ACM
PY  - 2016///
SP  - 173
TI  - A hybrid constraint-penalty proxy method for six degree-of-freedom haptic display of deforming objects
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2993369.2993392
UR  - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000391514400024&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
ER  -

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