NEW SCALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: NEI

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant New Scale Technologies Inc NST proposes to develop a novel clinically compatible six degree of freedom DOF hand held micromanipulator that cancels hand tremors in microsurgical systems This work builds on the published research completed by Dr Cameron Riviere of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute CMU RI and Dr Louis Lobes clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh who have achieved promising tremor corrective laboratory results with their active hand held manipulator known as Micron This instrument uses unique and patented components and sub systems from NST to enable the first DOF manipulator that is small enough to be hand held The system tracks its own motion determines the undesired component of motion hand tremors by filtering and deflects the tool tip with an equal but opposite motion to reduce the tremor amplitude In laboratory experiments Micron has been shown to significantly neutralize tremor within quantitatively acceptable force levels promising to eliminate most iatrogenic retinal tears that are reported to occur in to of vitrectomies NSTandapos s proposed work will improve the performance and reliability of the tremor cancelling manipulator and create a clinically compatible product that is ready for commercialization The Specific AIMS for the Phase work are Design and build an improved DOF hand piece that is not larger than Micron while achieving improved dynamic performance higher precision integration of a microcontroller with local feedback and motion control and compatible interfaces to the CMU RI Micron system Bench test the new hand piece performance at NST to demonstrate the quantitative targets for performance and reliability Integrate the hand piece in the Micron system at CMU RI and complete laboratory testing to demonstrate that tremor cancellation targets have been achieved Evaluate the feasibility of creating a wireless hand piece in future designs by using MEMS inertial sensors for tremor sensing on board batteries and wireless communication NSTandapos s anticipated Phase work will develop and demonstrate the complete stabilized hand held DOF manipulator that is clinically compatible with existing vitreoretinal surgical suites including the use of disposable tools forceps scissor picks etc used in vitrectomies NSTandapos s anticipated Phase commercialization plan will establish OEM and licensing agreements with established suppliers of vitreoretinal surgical tools and systems PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The objective of this research and development effort is to develop a clinically compatible tremor corrective handheld manipulator for vitreoretinal microsurgery that will permit surgeons to push beyond the current state of practice to attain andquot superhumanandquot levels of accuracy This will allow new vitreoretinal clinical procedures to be performed that are not feasible today and will improve the performance quality of existing clinical procedures Once the micromanipulator has been developed for vitreoretinal applications it likely can be applied to a wide variety of microsurgical devices for use in other medical disciplines