Surgery experiences challenges recognized to be solved by novel sensing technology. During surgical procedures soft tissues need to be dissected very accurately to reduce unnecessary tissue damage, tumour spread and pain. Grasping delicate soft tissue and connecting soft tissue structures safely require precise force and tension sensing. Moreover, dissecting tissues accurately, while preventing cutting through critical structures like tumours and nerves, requires sensing. The amount of sensing information is currently limited. Within the Sensing in Surgery program we aim to join forces to bring existing soft tissue sensing technology in the clinic and provide surgeon with extra sensing information so that tissue damage, incomplete tumour resection, and pain can be largely reduced.
The challenges of the Sensing in Surgery program are: (S1) Preventing pain by sensing soft tissue tension around the hip, (S2) Preventing tissue damage by sensing soft tissue while pinching, and (S3) Preventing incomplete tumour resection by sensing tumour margins during the resection. To enhance surgical sensing and bring the sensing instruments through the ‘valley of death’, we will join the translation/valorisation experience of research institutes (engineering/ clinical), hospitals, small spin-off and large companies, and together bring innovative surgical sensing instruments into clinical practice.
Applicants:
J. Dankelman, T. Horeman, B. Hendriks
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