Engineers from the University of Brigham Young (USA) have developed a unique series of miniature surgical instruments, combining Japanese origami art and the latest achievements in 3D printing.

The main purpose of creating this series is to make the tools as small as possible.

This is necessary in order for robotic surgeons to perform complex interventions as carefully as possible, without unnecessary loss of blood, and the incisions were as small as possible.

A new series of tools is intended for robotic surgical systems da Vinci, which are equipped with dozens of medical centers in the US and other countries. Multifunctional tools are attached to the ends of the "hands" of these robots, giving the surgeon everything necessary.

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper figures, inspired engineers to create compact metal instruments that can be inserted through a tiny operating incision within which they will unfold and form shapes of the desired shape.

According to the inventors, such an approach has long been used in NASA, where a compact and multifunctional equipment is needed that maximizes the use of the space inside the shuttles and satellites.

"Those who are engaged in the development of space vehicles give priority to compactness, because in space, space is everything. Once you get into orbit, you can decompose your huge antennas and solar panels, but inside the shuttle you need to save space. A similar idea is realized here:

to pass a small tool through the operating cut, and already inside to lay it out and work ", - engineers explain.

In the Mechanical Sciences magazine, BYU employees described a folding forceps that passes through a 3 mm cut, surgical forceps, clamps and many other tools. Soon they will allow to manipulate the smallest structures, such as nerves, through 1/4 - inch incisions, which do not even need to be stitched.

medbe. en.

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