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Mechatronics in Medicine

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

Mr Ayhan Aktas
Casual - Student demonstrator - lower rate

Dr Daniel Bautista Salinas
Research Associate

Dr Kaiwen Chen
Research Associate

Mr Zejian Cui
Research Assistant

Mr Connor Daly
Research Postgraduate

Emeritus Professor Brian L Davies FREng
Emeritus Professor

Mr Zhaoyang Jacopo Hu
Research Postgraduate

Dr Hisham M Iqbal
Research Associate

Mr Alex Ranne
Research Postgraduate

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{Jakopec:2002,
author = {Jakopec, M and Harris, SJ and Baena, RY and Gomes, PG and Cobb, J and Davies, BL},
pages = {256--263},
publisher = {SPRINGER-VERLAG NEW YORK, MS INGRID CUNNINGHAM, 175 FIFTH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10010 USA},
title = {Preliminary results of an early clinical experience with the Acrobot (TM) system for total knee replacement surgery},
year = {2002}
}

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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Early clinical experience with a "hands-on" robotic system for total knee replacement surgery is presented. The system consists of a pre-operative CT based planning software, a small special purpose robot called Acrobot (active constraint robot) mounted on a gross positioning device and special leg fixtures. The surgeon guides the Acrobot under active constraint control, which constrains the motion into a predefined region, and thus allows surfaces of the bones to be machined safely and with high accuracy. A non-invasive anatomical registration method is used. The system was clinically tested on 7 patients with encouraging results.
AU  - Jakopec,M
AU  - Harris,SJ
AU  - Baena,RY
AU  - Gomes,PG
AU  - Cobb,J
AU  - Davies,BL
EP  - 263
PB  - SPRINGER-VERLAG NEW YORK, MS INGRID CUNNINGHAM, 175 FIFTH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10010 USA
PY  - 2002///
SN  - 0302-9743
SP  - 256
TI  - Preliminary results of an early clinical experience with the Acrobot (TM) system for total knee replacement surgery
ER  -

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