Robotic Catheter-based Minimally Invasive Procedures:

The Sensei X Case Study

Neal Tanner, PhD

Engineering Fellow

Hansen Medical, Inc.

Abstract:

While traditionally used for simple tasks, such as fluid administration, catheters have evolved into powerful tools for diagnosis and therapy delivery. This is mainly due to their minimally invasive nature, which allows them to reach patients' anatomy through natural ducts and vessels. While this can be an advantage for the patient, it often translates into a more complicated procedure for the physician, which in turn may affect outcomes. Robotics may be able to play a role in facilitating such procedures by creating more capable flexible tools as well as more intuitive interfaces to control them. The talk will focus on some of the opportunities and challenges one may be faced with when building such a system.

The Sensei X Robotic Catheter System

Relevant Web Links:

http://www.hansenmedical.com/home.aspx , http://ai.stanford.edu/~barbagli/