Smart tissue anastomosis robot (STAR): a vision-guided robotics system for laparoscopic suturing.

This paper introduces the smart tissue anastomosis robot (STAR). Currently, the STAR is a proof-of-concept for a vision-guided robotic system featuring an actuated laparoscopic suturing tool capable of executing running sutures from image-based commands. The STAR tool is designed around a commercially available laparoscopic suturing tool that is attached to a custom-made motor stage and the STAR supervisory control architecture that enables a surgeon to select and track incisions and the placement of stitches. The STAR supervisory-control interface provides two modes: A manual mode that enables a surgeon to specify the placement of each stitch and an automatic mode that automatically computes equally-spaced stitches based on an incision contour. Our experiments on planar phantoms demonstrate that the STAR in either mode is more accurate, up to four times more consistent and five times faster than surgeons using state-of-the-art robotic surgical system, four times faster than surgeons using manual Endo360(°)®, and nine times faster than surgeons using manual laparoscopic tools.

In Situ Deposition of PLGA Nanofibers via Solution Blow Spinning.

Nanofiber mats and scaffolds have been widely investigated for biomedical applications. Commonly fabricated using electrospinning, nanofibers are generated ex situ using an apparatus that requires high voltages and an electrically conductive target. We report the use of solution blow spinning to generate conformal nanofiber mats/meshes on any surface in situ, utilizing only a commercial airbrush and compressed CO2. Solution and deposition conditions of PLGA nanofibers were optimized and mechanical properties characterized with dynamic mechanical analysis. Nanofiber mat degradation was monitored for morphologic and molecular weight changes in vitro. Biocompatibility of the direct deposition of nanofibers onto two cell lines was demonstrated in vitro and interaction with blood was qualitatively assessed with scanning electron microscopy. A pilot animal study illustrated the wide potential of this technique across multiple surgical applications, including its use as a surgical sealant, hemostatic, and buttress for tissue repair.