MIS techniques, known for smaller incisions and reduced recovery times, limit a surgeon’s ability to feel what they’re operating on. This lack of tactile feedback can result in over-grasping or under-grasping tissue, potentially leading to complications.
“Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the field, but the lack of tactile feedback remains a challenge,” said Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at NYU Abu Dhabi. “Our new system restores this missing sense of touch, giving surgeons real-time data on tissue stiffness and thickness. This ‘off-the-jaw’ approach not only eliminates contamination risks but also makes the technology easier to integrate without requiring complex modifications to existing surgical tools.”