With the increasing popularity of robotic surgery, several studies in the literature have investigated automatically assessing skill measures based on motion and video data captured from these systems. A range of simulation environments for robotic surgery are now in development. Skill assessment in these environments has so far only focused on evaluating the utility and validity of statistics such as task completion time, and instrument distance measured during a simulated task. We present the first work using motion data from a robotic surgery simulation environment in development for classifying users of varying skills and detecting completion of trainee. Given the standardized environment of the simulator, and the availability of the ground truth, skill measurements and feedback based on task motion hold the promise of effective automated objective assessment. Based on motion data of a simulated manipulation task from 17 users of varying skills, we demonstrate binary classification (proficient vs. trainee) of user skill with 87.5% accuracy. Alternate measures based on instrument pose more relevant in the simulated environment including a new measure of motion efficiency are also presented and evaluated.

A novel approach to constructing robots is based on concentrically combining pre-curved elastic tubes. By rotating and extending the tubes with respect to each other, their curvatures interact elastically to position and orient the robot's tip, as well as to control the robot's shape along its length. Since these robots form slender curves, they are well suited for minimally invasive medical procedures. A substantial challenge to their practical use is the real-time solution of their kinematics that are described by differential equations with split boundary equations. This paper proposes a numerically efficient approach to real-time position control. It is shown that the forward kinematics are smooth functions that can be pre-computed and accurately approximated using Fourier series. The inverse kinematics can be solved in real time using root finding applied to the functional approximation. Experimental demonstration of real-time position control using this approach is also described.

A novel approach toward construction of robots is based on a concentric combination of precurved elastic tubes. By rotation and extension of the tubes with respect to each other, their curvatures interact elastically to position and orient the robot's tip, as well as to control the robot's shape along its length. In this approach, the flexible tubes comprise both the links and the joints of the robot. Since the actuators attach to the tubes at their proximal ends, the robot itself forms a slender curve that is well suited for minimally invasive medical procedures. This paper demonstrates the potential of this technology. Design principles are presented and a general kinematic model incorporating tube bending and torsion is derived. Experimental demonstration of real-time position control using this model is also described.