Medical robotics is a relatively new field. The first documented robot-assisted surgical procedure took place in 1985, and 15 years later the da Vinci Surgical System became the first robotic surgical system approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for general laparoscopic surgery. In a short period of time, the market for surgical robots and other medical robots has grown considerably, with total global sales estimated at $4.2 billion in 2015.
Continuing technological advancements, an aging population and soaring labor costs are among the factors driving the demand for robotically assisted surgical devices and other robotic systems that automate medical processes and improve the patient experience. In particular, robotic surgery is poised for significant growth, as minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures can reduce hospital stays, accelerate recovery times, minimize discomfort and complications for patients while giving surgeons more precision, flexibility and control to safely perform complex procedures.
Overall, the global market for medical robots is expected to climb to $11.4 billion by 2020, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 22.2%.3 Global demand for surgical robotic systems alone could hit $6.4 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 10.2%, according to one estimate. While robotically assisted surgery is the largest area of application for medical robots, analysts expect emerging applications, such as motion-assisting robotic exoskeletons and medication-delivery robots, to gain momentum in the coming years as well. Increasingly, manufacturers and researchers are leveraging THK’s technology and expertise to develop solutions that meet the growing demand for medical robots. THK is uniquely positioned with a portfolio of components that enable miniaturization, dexterity and precision in medical robots, while meeting stringent regulatory and industry standards for quality, reliability and safety. This case study explores some of the ways THK is helping to shape the future of this exciting and promising field.
The global market for medical robots is expected to climb to $11.4 billion by 2020.
Meeting the Specialized Needs of Medical Robotics
THK’s portfolio of miniature splines, ball screws, cross rollers, guides, actuators and mechatronics are playing a key role in developing the next wave of advanced medical robots. For example, manufacturers and designers are taking advantage of the benefits of the THK Micro Cross-Roller Ring called the RAU series, as a cost-effective alternative to conventional angular contact ball bearings. One cross-roller ring provides more rigidity, high rotational accuracy, improved safety factor, higher load capacity and smaller compact footprint than a double-row angular contact ball bearing. This enables manufacturers to produce smaller, lighter robots, while reducing their machining cost and components, and simplifying procurement. Because of the integrated one-piece design structure, some models come with inner and outer mounting holes, reducing manufacturing cost and assembly time. Also, THK’s wide variety of electromechanical actuators combine several THK components that can further improve machine design, reduce the number of assembly parts, reduce design man-hours needed and reduce overall cost. In the health care field, manufacturers of medical robots must incorporate additional requirements and design considerations. By doing so, they achieve the dual need of offering dexterity, accuracy and precision, while also meeting stringent standards for quality, reliability and safety. Leading manufacturers of medical robots count on THK’s leadership with Quality. THK’s reputation with Quality helps the medical robotic industry to meet and exceed market demands, such as Relationships, Reliability, Precision, Safety, Accuracy and Innovative Machine Design.
Making Cutting-Edge Technology Accessible to More Patients
THK is collaborating with top universities and other organizations to accelerate technology that could have a profound impact on the future of health care: robotic telesurgery. Robotic telesurgery enables a surgeon to operate on a patient who is not in the same location, "allowing people to access world- leading expertise and better health care without having to travel."5 While the physician operates the controls at his or her location, a robotic arm installed in the remote operating room moves in response to signals received over a broadband connection. Long-distance robotic surgery holds the promise of making high-quality medical care available to more people — for example, soldiers who’ve been wounded on the battlefield, or patients residing in sparsely populated areas that don’t have access to state-of-the-art medical equipment.
"The telesurgery robot is a revolutionary system that not only reduces the patient’s trauma, but also lightens the burden on the surgeon," explains Mamoru Mitsuishi a medical-robotics professor at the University of Tokyo’s Department of Bioengineering. "It offers many advantages, not the least of which will be helping to correct regional disparities in medical care and provide appropriate initial treatment in medical emergencies."
THK has played an active role in the development of telesurgery robots, designing and manufacturing the robotic arms, and the arm sections of the forceps. THK actuators and linear-motion guides are being used in various mechanisms required to faithfully reproduce the movements of the surgeon and maintain patient safety during the procedure.
Mitsuishi, who had been familiar with THK’s "considerable technical capabilities" due to his prior research in the field of intelligent machine tools, notes that the development of telesurgery robots poses special challenges compared to machine tools. "For instance, the requirements of reduced size and weight are different," Mitsuishi says. "Surgery is a race against time. Not only do the movements have to be more precise, but the robotic arm must react quickly, and must be designed for quick installation and replacement. Another issue is cleaning and sterilization. THK took all of our demands very seriously."
Conclusion
Supporting its mission of developing innovative products and accelerating trends that support a higher quality of life, THK is playing an important role in launching the next generation of medical robots. With components and systems that reduce the size and cost of robots, while enabling accuracy, precision, reliability and safety, THK is helping bring the next generation of advanced medical robots from conception to reality.
Please contact Technico for expert specification, calculations and advice on all THK products
