Natural Surgeon Interfaces: Perspectives and Examples of Intuitive Laser Control Systems in the μRALP Project

This paper aims at discussing the opportunities offered by the perspectives of natural and reality-based interaction design in robot-assisted microsurgery. Specifically, it presents the “Natural Surgeon Interfaces” (NSIs) designed during μRALP (European project on Micro-Technologies and Systems for Robot-Assisted Endoscopic Laser Microsurgery). The goal was to make the experience of controlling a laser similar to handling a scalpel. In terms of cognitive ergonomics and neuroergonomics, the NSI systems in μRALP were based on the enactive coupling of perception and action that occurs when humans handle a tool. Accordingly, μRALP proposed a Virtual Scalpel and a Haptic Scalpel, which became part of a Neurotraining Scalpel setup too. Such exemplary cases of visuo-haptic paradigms of μRALP can truly make a physician a “natural surgeon”.