Lübeck Innovation Hub for Robotic Surgery

The use of medical robots in surgery offers the possibility of performing surgical interventions with unprecedented flexibility and precision, while at the same time relieving medical staff. Collaboration between humans and robots is of central importance here. The goal is therefore to increase the user-friendliness for humans and at the same time to provide the medical robots with a distinct understanding of their environment. To ensure this, among other things, the movements of the medical staff and the robot are tracked and, based on the collected data, gesture and voice control is implemented using data glasses. In addition, research into the interaction of collaborative robots with each other is of great interest in order to increase the degree of autonomy in the operating theatre. The use/application of various machine learning methods plays a fundamental role in each area.

A system for automated recording of surgical skills based on video data has the potential for standardised and objective benchmarking. This enables individualised feedback for training purposes, which previously could only be done under expert supervision. In addition, a retrospective analysis to refine the skills is possible. At Fraunhofer IMTE, machine learning methods are used to realise an automated evaluation of training videos. In cooperation with the UKSH Lübeck, these methods will be used to evaluate and supplement a training curriculum for robotic surgery. 

Uniform networking of medical devices makes it possible to drastically simplify processes in the operating theatre. Instead of using proprietary networks, the goal here is a manufacturer-independent exchange of data between the devices in order to provide the user with all available information in a bundled form. On the other hand, processes in the operating theatre can also be specifically improved and accelerated. For this purpose, the network of medical devices in LIROS is expanded by various tracking systems, with the help of which not only the position of the OR team but also medical devices such as the surgical robots can be tracked and their interactions with each other analysed. With the help of augmented reality, additional information can be provided to the surgeons. Communication between the team members in the operating theatre is also of central importance, because it must function perfectly and important warning signals must be perceived in good time. In addition, voice control for operating various systems can simplify processes.