FEATURE DRIVES, CONTROLS & MOTORS


in safe hands


Surgical robotics could prove to be indispensable in tackling the largest patient waiting list the NHS has ever seen. But when designing


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robots capable of performing such intricate, precise tasks, selecting the right DC motor for the job is a crucial decision, as Stewart Goulding managing director of Electro Mechanical Systems, explains When performing an operation with a robot,


ith hospital having to postpone or cancel many elective surgeries at the height of the pandemic, they are now facing a


colossal backlog that could take five years to work through. The patients experiencing the worst delays are those waiting for knee and hip replacement surgery, as well as arthritis patients. However, surgery doesn’t only involve the procedure itself – it also includes preparation to ensure that the individual is fit for surgery, then anaesthesia, the operation, and finally recovery. And, the longer a patient remains in a hospital bed, the longer it takes the NHS to work through its waiting list. In order to tackle the crisis, the NHS has


launched a £160 million investment into ‘accelerator sites’. These are currently in twelve areas and five specialist children’s hospitals across the UK. Each of these facilities will receive a share of the funding to implement and evaluate innovative ways, such as the use of robotics, to increase the number of elective operations they can deliver.


precision surgery


Guys Hospital in London has recently added a fourth surgical robot to its robotic programme, making it the largest programme in the country. The £1.5 million Da Vinci robot will increase the number of surgeries performed this year by 300.


3 DESIGN SOLUTIONS OCTOBER 2021 8


the surgeon sits at a console and looks at a 3D image of the operating area. Joysticks are used to move the robot’s arms, so that only the robot and surgical assistants stand over the patient. Precision is crucial in robotic surgery, and the 3D monitor means that the surgeon is able to see every detail and zoom in if required. The slim robotic arm offers more freedom of movement when cutting, repairing or suturing compared to standard procedures. By converting the entries made at the


console, the robot is able to make incisions in the range of a tenth of a millimetre – almost the size of a grain of sand – which can’t be done by hand. These smaller incisions mean less blood and smaller wounds, therefore speeding up recovery times.


The Technology


At the heart of surgical robots is the DC motor, which works by converting the electrical energy that powers the robot into mechanical energy that allows the robot to move. Inputs from the surgeon at the console are translated through the console electronics, which then provide output signals to the motors in the manipulators. When designing robots, engineers must


ensure they satisfy the exact speed and torque requirements and meet precise positioning


demands. The ability to withstand the high temperatures of sterilisation, but remain cool during operation, is also of importance. Furthermore, DC motors for surgical


applications must boast a full torque at low speeds – important as the manipulators need full range of motion to maximise their agility and operate effectively. Compact motors make the robot more lightweight, which in-turn makes it more agile and precise. The CR series of DC motors from FAULHABER


(available in the UK from EMS) are precision- made with rare earth magnets and self- supporting rotors offering high copper fill for unrivalled performance. This makes them suitable for applications that require a compact drive solution with high torque, delivering up to 224mNm without a gearhead in only 38mm diameter. An ironless rotor is the central element in these and improves efficiency, eliminates cogging and enhances acceleration times to give a dynamic performance and long life. As a result, these motors are a good


choice for surgical robots. After all, reliability is paramount and robots cannot risk malfunctioning during surgery.


Electro Mechanical Systems T: 0118 9817391 www.ems-limited.co.uk


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