MORE | Spring 2020

Magnetic Needle Steering for Minimally Invasive Surgery

This research aims to provide surgeons with a way to conduct more complex surgeries with increased precision and control in a minimally invasive manner. By utilizing a robotic arm to control a permanent magnet setup, the corresponding magnetic field direction and magnitude can be precisely controlled. The main objective of this project is to demonstrate a viable system for magnetic needle steering using this permanent magnet setup in a realistic tissue-like medium. In addition, a novel tracking system based on tension forces in the needle tether is utilized in order to determine the location and orientation of the needle.