Sensor Technology for Medical Robotics and Surgical Instruments

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) offers numerous advantages over conventional surgery, such as motion scaling, increased dexterity, and additional degrees of freedom (DoF). However, the loss of haptic feedback remains a significant challenge, leading to increased risk of tissue damage and reduced performance. An integrated 6-axis force/torque (F/T) sensor at the tool tip, decoupled from additional forces and torques introduced at the laparoscopic port, can restore the surgeon’s haptic perception during RAS tasks.

The world’s smallest force/torque sensors, with diameters as small as 8 mm and including a hollow shaft, open up new possibilities in the field of medical robotics. Integrating sensors into the haptic input devices of the surgeon’s console allows for ideal feedback of these signals to the operator. Furthermore, Resense force/torque sensors are compact enough to be mounted at the surgical tool tip, providing the most accurate measurement of force and torque data.

The Most Important Advantages of Force/Torque Sensing in RAS

• Increased Accuracy: Our F/T sensors are compact enough to be mounted to the surgical tool tip, providing the most accurate measurement of force and torque data.

• System Safety: Implementing force/torque sensors enhances system safety by enabling precise control and feedback, reducing the risk of unintended tissue damage. Continuous monitoring and adaptive responses to force and torque ensure safer surgical outcomes.

• Haptic Feedback: Sensor integration into the haptic input devices of the surgeon’s console helps to feedback these signals to the operator in an ideal way.

A Startup with Reliable Roots

Resense is a Joint Venture between the mechatronics component manufacturer WITTENSTEIN and measurement equipment specialist WIKA that develops and markets miniaturized 6-axis force/torque sensors. Resense sensors provide pioneering applications in medical technology with A Sense of Touch.

In April 2023, WITTENSTEIN SE and the measurement technology company WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG founded a joint venture for the development, production and marketing of miniaturized 6 axis force/torque sensors. Since then, the team has grown from two to twelve people and is backed by more than twenty engineers and experts of its shareholder companies.

Serial Production with WIKA – Market Leader in Sensor Technology

The merger with WIKA gives Resense GmbH major advantages in terms of production capacity and product development. Leveraging WIKA’s resources in personnel and technologies accelerates innovation and allows for the provision of high quantities to customers. This enables series production to be completed within a short period of time.