Success Story of BHS Technologies and Stäubli Robotics in Life Science Industry

Medical technology applications have become a major growth market for robotics. Stäubli has a long-standing experience in this field and a broad range of solutions for a number of medical applications. 

Task

Sharpening the surgeon’s field of vision.

A high-precision robot, a high-resolution 3D camera and an innovative head-mounted display – the world’s first RoboticScope has arrived on the market. This hi-tech development gives surgeons insights previously thought impossible and is set to revolutionize the way they work at the operating table.

Classic ocular lenses and microscopes are increasingly reaching their limits. Their lack of flexibility is reducing their ability to meet the demands in modern microsurgery. BHS Technologies in Innsbruck has set out to equip surgeons with a tool that provides a completely new perspective in the operating field while allowing them to work in a comfortable, ergonomic position.

The Solution 

A high-precision robot steered via head movements

The success of BHS in realizing these objectives is demonstrated by the functionality of the RoboticScope. The surgeon looks directly into the operating field via a Head-Mounted Display (HMD). The two digital microdisplays integrated into the HMD directly in front of the surgeon’s eyes show high-resolution, real-time 3D images relayed by the dual camera lenses mounted on a six-axis Stäubli TX2-60L. The position of the robot determines the visible image, allowing the surgeon to operate in a freely selectable and completely relaxed head position.

The surgeon retains control over the image field and viewing angle, automatically steering the high-precision Stäubli robot with contact-free head movements. Using this method, the surgeon can select the viewing angle of the 8x zoom lenses and even control a sophisticated menu from a microdisplay, allowing the activation and control of further functions.

Pic. The robot-assisted camera system gives surgeons completely new insights into the operating field. 

The high-precision Stäubli TX2-60L delivers jerk-free motion sequences of the RoboticScope. Thanks to its enclosed build, the six-axis machine already complies with cleanroom class ISO 5, allowing BHS to save on the potential extra costs of upgrading to a cleanroom version. Within the operating theater, the TX2-60L is covered with a sterile sleeve, preventing any particle emissions. Furthermore, Stäubli´s proprietary CS9 control systems, with its pioneering safety features, are perfectly suited for HRC (human-robot collaboration) scenarios such as these.

Customer Benefits 

• Visual exploration of the operating field taken to a new dimension
• Unprecedented insights into the operating field
• Working in a relaxed posture
• Contactless control of the cameras using head movement
• Cost-efficient solution

Customer Usage 

Outstanding imaging – relaxed operation

For the other components, BHS either sources from leading suppliers or manufactures the parts in house, for example the stable mobile base for the robot and the 8x zoom lens. The overall performance of the RoboticScope is impressive; the produced imaging is perfectly suited for the high demands in microsurgical operations.

An interesting feature called Orbit Mode allows the surgeon to focus the camera on an anatomical structure and have the robot rotate the camera around it. The surgeon can examine the structure in detail from all perspectives and has a complete overview. This gives dynamic surgery a whole new meaning.

BHS has succeeded in keeping the investment costs for the RoboticScope at the approximate level of conventional solutions while delivering significantly enhanced performance. This brand new innovative system is enjoying very high demand within only a few months of its market launch.

Stäubli is a global mechatronics solution provider with three dedicated activities: Connectors, Robotics and Textile, serving customers who want to increase their productivity in many industrial sectors. We are an international group that currently operates in 29 countries, with agents in 50 countries on four continents.

01/12/2020