Development of micro-active forceps for future microsurgery.
A new eye microsurgical system is proposed. The final goal of our research project has been not only to improve surgical instruments, but also to establish a total surgical system applicable to today's most difficult microsurgery, within the eye. The new prototype micro-forceps, which have a joint that enlarges the surgical area and a built-in thin optical fibrescope to increase the dexterity of retinal microsurgery, was designed as the first step in a long-term research plan. The micro-active forceps is equipped with a thin optical fibre inside the stem, giving a lateral view of the retina and a drastic improvement in fine operations. Moreover, this new tool, with an active joint and an end-effector, could find application in other microsurgical fields, such as in the brain, ear, nose and throat.