Robotics Accelerator / ICON Seminar in Robotics by Thenkurussi "Kesh" Kesavadas (University of Illinois)

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/93047701068?pwd=L2R0Nlg1YXpVU280V3IzeVhqWVk3dz09

Medical Robotics: Challenges and Opportunities 

Thenkurussi "Kesh" Kesavadas

Director, Health Care Engineering Systems Center
Professor, Industrial and Enterprise Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering
Grainer College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Abstract
Robot assisted surgical systems are fast becoming ubiquitous in operating rooms around the world. From da Vinci™ surgical robot to Mako RIO™ orthopedic robot arm, such new systems are presenting unique challenges to healthcare centers and hospitals, such as – training, outcome assessment and credentialing of professionals. To meet these challenges virtual reality (VR) simulators are emerging as a key solution. This presentation will highlight the challenges and opportunities for the design, development, and implementation of a new robotic systems with focus on simulation and human factors. Simulation framework for recreating the realistic safety hazard scenarios commonly observed in robotic surgical systems, which can be used to prepare surgical trainees for handling safety-critical events during procedures is discussed. I will further discuss validation and implementation of such system. Finally, I will explore the future of robotics with the advancements of AI and Machine Learning.

Bio
Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas is the founder Director of the Health Care Engineering Systems Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a professor of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering, and holds faculty appointments in the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and with the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine at the university. Professor Kesavadas is a Co-Director of the Jump Simulation Center Urbana which he helped in setting up. His current research focuses on medical robotics and virtual reality for medicine. Kesavadas holds the title of the Engineering-in-Chief of the Jump ARCHES endowment – a collaborative between UIUC and OSF Hospital of Peoria. In 2008, Kesavadas developed the world’s first stand-alone virtual reality Robotic Surgical Simulator called RoSS™ that is used around the world to train residents and medical students. This invention led to forming Simulated Surgical Systems to commercialize RoSS™. His most recent company, AirV Labs LLC, is exploring the practical applications in the intersection of AI and VR.