DLR MIDAS: A Transport and Docking Device for the DLR MiroSurge System for Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery

Abstract

Light-weight surgical robots like the DLR MIRO can be mounted on the side rails of the surgical table. Using this normed mechanical interface reduces the introduction costs and enhances the flexibility of robotic systems in surgery. Lifting the robot arms manually on the side rails and fixate them there, however, is arduous for the OR staff and bears the risk of accidentally dropping the robot. The DLR MIDAS is a manually driven transport and docking device for up to four MIRO robot arms. Its design guarantees a safe transfer of the robot arms from the transport cart to the side rails of the surgical table and vice versa: During the whole docking procedure the robot is connected to the cart or to the side rails.