BETTER SURGERY THROUGH VIBRATION (Orthopedics This Week)
Japanese researchers have created a vibrating device that can be added to surgical tools could improve surgeons' sensitivity to different shapes and textures inside their patients' bodies. The engineers, from Hiroshima University, have designed the small vibrating device that can be used right away and does not require additional training. The vibrations—say the researchers—are so subtle that they do not shake the tool.
"We started this work six years ago, trying to enhance human fingertip sensitivity, but in 2012 I had the idea that increased sensitivity could be valuable during minimally invasive surgeries. Typical medical tools obtain information about the patient's condition. There are very few devices that aim to enhance the doctor's skill," said Yuichi Kurita, Ph.D., lead author of the study and associate professor at Hiroshima University, in the August 1, 2016 news release.
“The vibrator, called PZT Actuator, attaches to a surgeon's favorite surgical tool and vibrates in the surgeon's palm at a constant rate. The vibrations are so subtle they cannot be sensed. However, this constant, uniform vibration enhances the surg...
