A key-hole surgery instrument, which gives tangible physical feedback based on the amount of grasp force being applied, has been developed by researcher Eleonora Westebring-van der Putten from Delft University of Technology.
The instrument consists of sensors which measure how hard the surgeon is grasping the tissue with his operating instrument, and a feedback is sent to a cylinder in the handle.
The handle also features vibrating elements, which vibrate if the surgeon holds the tissue too hard.
The new instrument can reduce the number of complications associated with keyhole surgery by providing feedback signals and can also be used for training surgeons.