High-Performance mechanical transmission - A way out for new generation of minimal invasive surgical devices (January 26, 2022)

Dr. Ka-Wai Kwok

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The University of Hong Kong

Description

Distinguished Scholar Sharing Series:

This talk will present various robot prototypes, which attempt to resolve unmet clinical and technical challenges for minimally invasive intervention or surgery, either in strong magnetic field (1.5-3T) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or in confined anatomical space through endoscopy. These robots have to incorporate with efficient mechanical transmission, thus enabling delicate mechanical force/motion transmitted from actuators to surgical tools in a long and flexible route. The ultimate goal is to provide high-performance control of robotics instruments for safe, precise and effective surgical manipulation. The speaker will not only share his research outcome, but also various difficulties in his up-and-down research journey, from making up his mind for R&D in university, then committing to technology transfer for clinical applications.

 

About the Speaker

Dr. Ka-Wai Kwok is currently an Associate Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering, HKU. His research focus on surgical robotics, intra-operative image processing, and their uses of intelligent systems, in particular for endoscopy, stereotactic and intra-cardiac catheter interventions. To date, he has co-authored with over 50 clinical fellows and 90 engineering scientists. His multidisciplinary work has been recognized by various international conference/journal paper awards (>10), e.g. the Best Conference Paper Award in 2018 ICRA (IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation). He was also the recipient of IROS Toshio Fukuda Young Professional Award in 2020 IROS (IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems), for his contributions to MRI-guided robotic systems. He also obtained awards in his early career in robotics, e.g. the Early Career Awards 2015/16 offered by Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, Actuators 2020 Young Investigator Award, HKU 2019-2021 Outstanding Young Researcher Award and HKU Young Innovator Award 2020.

Poster