Bio-Inspired Flexible Vertebral Drill: The design, manufacturing and evaluation of a prototype

Abstract—Spinal fusion surgery is an operation in which two or more adjacent vertebrae are rigidly connected, with the goal to remedy spinal instability, deformation of the vertebrae, or a herniated intervertebral disc. Vertebrae are conventionally fixated by means of pedicle screws, the downsides of which are accidental cortical wall breaches...

A Double-Walled Flexible Friction-Based Locomotion and Transport Mechanism

Background: The goal of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is to perform surgery by minimal damaging the body. Compared to traditional open surgery MIS results in faster recovery and lower mortality, and is therefore the preferred method for performing a biopsy. Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is a type of MIS where an...

The Design of a Flexible Friction-Based Transport Mechanism: A Bio-InspiredTransport Mechanism for Tissue Transport in Minimal Invasive Medical Interventions

Background: During minimally invasive procedures, tissue damage can be limited by using smaller incisions and by using naturally occurring body orifices to reach the intervention site. During these procedures the need can arise to transport tissue. Think of a biopsy or the removal of polyps. This calls for a tool that can transport tissue and is...