Accurate control of devices for medical robotic application
Robocath is a French start-up founded in 2009 by radiologist Philippe Bencteux. His idea? To robotize catheterization and so offer a machine that cardiologists can control their devices remotely from a control station integrating a Command Unit with 2 joysticks.
The R-One™ is the first European robotic solution for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Robocath aims to become a world leader in vascular robotics and develop the remote treatment of vascular emergencies, guaranteeing the best care pathway for all. The company is convinced that the future standard for minimally-invasive procedures is robot-based. Robocath obtained the CE-mark for R-One™ in February 2019 and is NEN-EN-IEC 60601-1 certified. With help from Althen’s HE3 Multi-Axis joysticks the R-One™ is designed to operate with precision.
Better treatment of strokes in the future
Physicians are able to perform a PCI procedures fully protected from radiations and with a high level of precision, facilitating and improving the treatment of the leading cause of death in the world: cardiovascular diseases. Neurointerventionalists can't be in every single hospital. It's therefore necessary to deploy this endovascular expertise everywhere. The robot could be the option to deploy this expertise by enabling treatment in local catheterization labs with the robot. While, remotely the neurointervantionalist could bring his technical expertise for navigation within the intra cranial vessels. We can easily imagine that endovascular robotics will allow better treatment of strokes in the future.
Protection from harmful X-rays
Until now cardiologists have been performing these operations manually. Using X-rays to see through the human body. Doctors carry out such operations while remaining in close proximity to their patients, but also to the source of the X-rays. Physicians therefore wear heavy lead aprons to protect themselves from these radiations. That makes their working conditions hard and difficult as radiations can induce serious diseases as brain tumors and cancers. Robotization enables physicians to operate while being protected from the harmful rays, behind a lead-lined screen, sitting comfortably, remaining close to the screens and able to carry out high–quality operations, all the while keeping themselves safe. The operation becomes simpler, easier and safer, benefiting the doctor’s concentration.
Intuitive and extremely accurate joysticks
One particular strength of the robot is that you can advance the guidewire or the stent/balloon through the coronaries thanks two joysticks, as if you were manipulating it with your own hands. The use of the robot is very intuitive. Navigation with the robot is accurate to the millimeter, which is crucial to be able to navigate in microscopic arteries. Guidewires and catheters which are used routinely are compatible with the robot, which makes things very easy for any physician. The joysticks reproduce all hand movements.
Multi-Axis Finger Joysticks from Althen
Twee vinger joysticks uit de HE3-serie van Althen zijn ontworpen in de R-One™. De controllers zijn ontwikkeld voor allerlei veiligheidskritische toepassingen met dubbele onafhankelijke Hall Effect sensoren. Om een continue werking te garanderen en bescherming tegen bijvoorbeeld stof en water zijn de joysticks minimaal IP67 afgedicht. Eén van de controllers heeft twee assen en een vergrendelknop. De andere vingerjoystick van de R-One™ heeft drie assen en één knop. Omdat de kleur rood normaal gesproken wordt geassocieerd met een soort gevaar, is de kleur van de knop van de joystick zwart in medische toepassingen.
Bij Althen bieden wij standaard industriële controllers en positiesensoren. Wij kunnen u ook helpen met een op maat gemaakte meetoplossing of HMI-oplossing zoals de R-One™. Neem contact met ons op om u te helpen met de beste oplossing voor uw toepassing.