Medical Robotics Continues to Thrive in Latest Symposium

Duke Engineering’s annual Medical Robotics Symposium highlighted the advancements and interdisciplinary collaboration that define the evolving field of medical robotics. The event was organized and led by Duke Robotics and highlighted the importance of the National Science Foundation-supported Traineeship in the Advancement of Surgical Technology (NSF TAST). One of the driving forces of the event was the exchange of ideas and research in medical robotics, automation and surgical technologies with professionals from intersecting fields.

The symposium offered a platform for innovators in the field to engage in meaningful conversations and foster potential collaborations through panel discussions, surgical lightning talks, student poster presentations and discussions led by experts in the field. The event capitalized on the importance of collaboration, bringing in participants from universities across the country and the medical community, reinforcing the vital role of robotics in transforming surgical practice across disciplines.

Led by Siobhan Oca, assistant director of master’s studies for robotics and autonomy and an assistant professor of the practice in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS), the event put a spotlight on the interdisciplinary strengths of medical robotics with its collection of speakers from both medicine and engineering.

“To see collaborators from Michigan to Wilmington coming to talk and engage with our engineering and clinical faculty and students was great for this year,” said Oca. “The reach and impact of medical robotics at Duke across Research Drive and across the country is obviously growing in part because of this yearly event.”

One of Duke Engineering’s newest faculty members, Joanna Deaton, an assistant professor in the MEMS department, presented innovative robotic systems for medical applications. Regional neighbor Hamed Saeidi, assistant professor of computer science at UNC-Wilmington, examined how AI and robotics integrate into surgical environments.

Duke Health was represented by way of Sabino Zani, associate professor of surgery and mechanical engineering at Duke, who helped participants better understand the integration of robotic technology in surgery, while Ryan McNabb, medical instructor in ophthalmology, discussed the application of robotics and its overall impact in eye care.

Their presentations were followed up with a panel discussion featuring experts like Brian Mann, a professor in the MEMS department, and Ron Alterovitz, a professor of computer science at UNC, who spoke on the challenges and opportunities within medical robotics, particularly the ethical and technical considerations of autonomous systems in surgery.

One of the symposium’s highlights was the “Surgical Lightning Talks” session, where leading surgeons presented their ongoing work at the intersection of surgery and robotics. Rory Goodwin, associate professor of neurosurgery at Duke, came with observations about robotic interventions in spine surgery. Two additional Duke faculty members, Jeffrey Gahan, associate professor of urology, and Peter Fecci, professor of neurosurgery, also provided valuable perspectives on how robotics is enhancing precision and outcomes in their respective fields.

Central to the symposium’s success was the representation of students in the NSF TAST program, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of engineers and computer scientists who will shape the future of medical robotics. The NSF TAST program, led by the MEMS department, fosters a unique interdisciplinary environment where students engage in hands-on research that ultimately combines these fields through various applications.

This year’s Medical Robotics Symposium exemplified the power of collaboration across disciplines in advancing medical technology. By having engineers and clinicians collaborate in this way, Duke Engineering is fostering an environment where crucial research in medical robotics can thrive. The symposium ultimately underscored the importance of training the next generation of leaders in this rapidly evolving field.

As technologies like autonomous robotic systems, AI-assisted surgery, and minimally invasive robotic tools continue to evolve, the work being done at Duke Engineering—through initiatives like NSF TAST—will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare.