Surgeons can now use a new type of robotic arm to help perform minimally invasive procedures, known as laparoscopic surgery, thanks to engineers funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The handheld tool is based on fundamental research and is being commercialized by small business FlexDex Surgical. The startup also has seed money from the NSF Small Business Innovation Research program. The arm is more simplistic than similar robotic surgical systems, but is more intuitive to use, requires less training and less expensive, according to Shorya Awtar, an University of Michigan engineer who co-founded FlexDex. The innovation could provide more surgeons with access to a laparoscopic instrument, resulting in shorter, less painful recovery times for patients.

Credit: FlexDex Surgical

The innovation could provide more surgeons with access to a robot-like laparoscopic instrument, resulting in less trauma for patients and shorter, less painful recovery times.

Credit: Austin Thomason, Michigan Photography

FlexDex Surgical received two NSF SBIR awards to develop its first product -- a needle-like instrument for laparoscopic sewing.

Credit: Austin Thomason, Michigan Photography

The handheld instrument is based on fundamental engineering research and provides robot-like functionality at a lower cost compared to existing robotic surgery systems.

Credit: Austin Thomason, Michigan Photography