Researchers from STORM Lab and collaborators have published a new review examining the challenges and opportunities in bringing soft continuum robotic systems from laboratory prototypes into real-world clinical use.
The paper, “Enhancing the Functionality of Soft Continuum Robots for Minimally Invasive and Endoluminal Interventions: A Review,” provides a comprehensive overview of the technical, clinical, ergonomic, economic, and regulatory considerations that must be addressed to enable successful adoption in the operating theatre.
Soft continuum robots offer significant potential for minimally invasive and endoluminal procedures due to their flexibility, compliance, and ability to safely navigate complex anatomical pathways. However, their translation into clinical environments requires coordinated advances across multiple disciplines, including robotics, materials engineering, and medicine.
This review bridges these fields by outlining key requirements for functional performance, clinical feasibility, and system integration. It also proposes a structured framework to guide future development and evaluation of soft robotic technologies for healthcare applications.
The work represents a collaborative effort between engineers, clinicians, and researchers, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing next-generation surgical tools.
The full article is available: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2516-1091/ae4d92