Observer-based SLAM in robot-assisted eye surgery

Vitreoretinal eye surgery requires ultimate surgeon's precision and skills. Significant variation exists in the approaches between different surgeons. Procedures are often indicated as difficult to perform. The surgeon's personal skill level is considered critical, including hand motion stability and left/right hand dexterity. Precision of instrument manipulation is a key requirement and a limiting factor in such procedures. The collaboration between high-precision research at the Eindhoven University of Technology and a spin-off company PRECEYES has produced a working prototype for teleoperation robot-assistance during vitreoretinal surgery. This PRECEYES Surgical System enables the surgeon to achieve a higher level of precision and decrease the time span of procedures.