Frasson L, Ko S Y, Turner A, Parittotokkaporn T, Vincent J F, Rodriguez y Baena F
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2010;224(6):775-88. doi: 10.1243/09544119JEIM663.
Current trends in surgical intervention favour a minimally invasive approach, in which complex procedures are performed through very small incisions. Specifically, in neurosurgery there is a need for minimally invasive keyhole access, which conflicts with the lack of manoeuvrability of conventional rigid instruments. In an attempt to address this shortcoming, the current state of progress is reported on a soft-tissue intervention and neurosurgical guide (STING) to access deep brain lesions through curved trajectories. The underlying mechanism of motion, based on the reciprocal movement of interlocked probe segments, is biologically inspired and was designed around the unique features of the ovipositor of certain parasitic wasps. Work to date has focused on probe development, low- and high-level control, and trajectory planning. These aspects are described, together with results on each aspect of the work, including biomimetic microtexturing of the probe surface. Progress is very encouraging and demonstrates that forward motion into soft tissue through a reciprocating mechanism is indeed viable and can be achieved through a suitable combination of microtexturing and microfabrication techniques.
目前外科手术干预的趋势倾向于采用微创方法，即通过非常小的切口进行复杂手术。具体而言，在神经外科手术中，需要微创锁孔入路，但这与传统刚性器械的可操作性不足相矛盾。为了解决这一缺点，本文报道了一种软组织介入和神经外科导向装置（STING）的当前进展情况，该装置可通过弯曲轨迹进入深部脑病变部位。其运动的潜在机制基于互锁探针节段的往复运动，受到生物学启发，并围绕某些寄生蜂产卵器的独特特征进行设计。迄今为止的工作重点在于探针开发、低级和高级控制以及轨迹规划。本文将对这些方面进行描述，并介绍工作各方面的结果，包括探针表面的仿生微纹理。进展非常令人鼓舞，表明通过往复机制向前进入软组织确实可行，并且可以通过微纹理和微制造技术的适当组合来实现。
