Design and evaluation of a passive dynamic arm support for Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Background : Surgeons performing robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery experience physical stress and overuse of shoulder muscles due to sub-optimal arm support during surgery. Following background literature research on passive
dynamic arm supports, this report presents and evaluates a novel design.
Objective: To present a novel design and prototype of a dynamic arm support for robotic laparoscopic surgery and evaluate the arm support for ergonomics and performance on the AdLab-RS simulation training device.
Method : The prototype was designed using the mechanical engineering design process: Technical requirements, concept creation, concept selection, 3D-design in Solidworks, built of the prototype. A crossover study was performed on participants divided into two groups, all performing a marble sorting task on the AdLab-RS. One group first performed four trials without the arm support, followed by four trials with the arm support, and the other group
vice versa. The performance parameters were time to complete (s), path length (mm), and the number of collisions. Afterward, the participants filled out a questionnaire on the ergonomic experience regarding both situations, including
part of the Nasa TLX questionnaire.
Results: A new arm support was developed and a total of 20 students took part in the study on its evaluation, which led to 160 performed trials on the AdLab-RS. Significant decreases in the subjective comfort parameters mental
demand, physical demand, effort and frustration were observed as a result of introducing the novel arm support. Significant decreases in the objective performance parameters path length and the number of collisions were also
observed during the tests.
Conclusion: The newly developed dynamic arm support was found to improve comfort and enhance performance through increased stability on the robotic surgery skills simulator AdLab-RS. However, the study’s limitations, such
as the short trial duration and non-surgeon participants, must be acknowledged when interpreting the results.