Joysticks

Robotic surgery makes it possible to perform highly complicated and precise operations. Surgical robots have limitations, too. For one, the surgeon does not 'feel' the force of his incision or of his pull on the suture, and robots are also big and clumsy to use. Force One of the distinctive properties of Sofie is the 'force feedback', ie 'tactile feedback' in the joysticks with which the surgeon operates. This counter pressure enables a surgeon to feel exactly what force he applies when making a suture or pushing aside a bit of tissue. The finishing touch of this, the control of the force feedback, is being developed. Tilting Moreover, Sofie is quite compact and hence less of an obstacle in the operating theater and above the patient. Its small dimensions come with an added bonus: Sofie's slave is not on the floor, but is mounted on the operating table. This averts the need of resetting everything when the operating table and the patient are moved or tilted. Further, Sofie makes it possible to approach an organ from different sides and can even operate 'around the corner'. The university has patented this know-how.