SNU Innovations(vol.08)

The field of soft robotics is transforming the medical field by offering safer and more effective interactions with human tissues. The Healthcare Robotics Lab at Seoul National University, led by Professor Amy Kyungwon Han, focuses on developing soft robotic technologies for medical applications, specifically for remote procedures, minimally invasive surgeries, and implantable devices. The lab's goal is to enhance surgery safety and accuracy, patient outcomes, and quality of life. Examples include haptic devices to deliver force feedback during teleoperated procedures, soft sensors for monitoring during medical procedures or for use in implantable devices, and soft implantable assistive devices.

Soft Haptic Devices for Medical Procedures:

Haptic feedback is crucial in robotic surgery to provide surgeons with a sense of touch. Soft actuators, which deform in response to forces from surgical tools, can simulate tactile sensations such as needle insertion or tissue cutting while safely interacting with biological tissue. For example, soft polymer-based electroactive actuators can stretch the skin or apply pressure to deliver the feeling of puncturing tissue or inserting a needle, enhancing a surgeon's perception of tissue resistance and improving the accuracy of procedures ^1,2. This ability to deliver realistic haptic feedback can help reduce tissue damage and enable safer surgical interventions, particularly in environments with limited visibility, such as image-guided procedures.

Soft Sensors for Monitoring:

Integrating sensors into surgical instruments or implantable devices is crucial for real-time monitoring. Soft sensors, typically made from flexible or stretchable materials with embedded conductive particles, detect changes in parameters like pressure, strain, or temperature. For example, a cardiac implantable device with stretchable sensors can measure the deformation of cardiac tissue, providing real-time monitoring of ventricular volume changes while assisting the heart ^3-5. Another sensor under development in the lab is designed to differentiate various types of tissues during minimally invasive surgeries. This sensor can help identify critical tissues like nerves, reducing the risk of nerve damage.

Soft Implantable Devices for Assistance:

Implantable devices require materials that conform to the body and operate safely in dynamic environments. Soft robotics offers an innovative approach to cardiac assistance and other internal applications. For instance, a soft robotic actuator can envelop the pulmonary artery and compress it to help regulate blood pressure or wrap around the heart's external wall to directly assist with contraction in sync with its natural rhythm ^5,6. The use of soft and biocompatible materials, such as silicone or hydrogel, ensures that the device can assist without causing damage to surrounding tissues. Low-power actuation methods and energy-efficient designs help extend the operational lifespan of these devices, making them suitable for long-term implantation.

Soft robotics is reshaping medical device design by providing flexible and biocompatible solutions that address the limitations of traditional rigid systems. By leveraging soft materials and advanced actuation and sensing methods, soft robotic systems can safely operate in complex environments within the body. Continued advancements in haptic devices, soft sensors, and implantable technologies will push the boundaries of medical robotics, leading to improved patient outcomes and broader applications in healthcare.