Low cost tactile, force and size feedback system for surgical robotics

Robotic manipulator is designed and analyzed at patient end which includes force and current sensors that allows the operator to get force, size and tactile feedback at the surgeon end. Three methods of feedback are used i.e. force sensors for exact force estimation, current sensing for tactile feedback and position estimation to replicate motion. The three mentioned methods are analyzed and developed on the PC. Graphs are obtained for objects of different strength and size by experiments on the gripper at the end of robotic manipulator. Master-Slave topology is used to attain some benefits over conventional control systems in term of ergonomics, accuracy and timing etc. Interactive GUI at master end shows us forces, size and motions at each joint of the slave unit. Gripper, yaw and pitch motion of robotic manipulator at slave or patient end is also controlled by surgeon using master controller.