Effectiveness of mechanical design optimization using a human-in-the-loop simulator for the development of a pediatric surgical robot

Abstract

In pediatric surgery, robotic technology is useful. However, it is difficult to apply this technology due to size-related problems. In our study, we proposed a mechanical design method using a human-in-the-loop type simulator, and the moving volume and invisible area were optimized. We also verified the effectiveness of the optimization of the mechanical parameters by applying the simulator to pediatric surgery. In this experiment, a needle-hooking task was carried out by four subjects with five types of mechanisms using the results of the Pareto optimal solution obtained in the previous research. Moreover, the accuracy of the needle tip manipulation was verified. It was confirmed that the accuracy was higher under the operation of the mechanism that satisfied the Pareto optimal solution in comparison with the other mechanism. As the operation was carried out based on movement in the direction of the arm, the moving volume decreased. Therefore, the accuracy of the hooking was found to improve. It would be useful to optimize the mechanism by verifying the moving volume and invisible area rate for the needle-hooking task. In future work, the optimization of the mechanism for procedures that require both hands will be carried out.