Welcome to Mechatronics in Medicine

In 1985 the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College began research into medical robotics for neurosurgery. Further research into a robot for prostatectomy, commencing in 1988 culminated, in 1991, in a "World First" with the demonstration of robotic prostate surgery. This robot was the first to actively remove tissue from a human patient in an operating theatre.

With the expansion of robotic surgery applications, the Mechatronics in Medicine Laboratory was set up in 1993, as part of the Computer Aided Systems Engineering Section, to research and develop mechatronic aids to surgery. The group has gained a world-wide reputation as a centre of excellence for medical robotic research.

The group has developed mechatronic applications in fields as diverse as neurosurgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible robotics, haptic training systems for surgeons, urological surgery and orthopaedics, high intensity focused ultrasound and blood sampling.

This website provides information about the research developed at the Mechatronics in Medicine, its people, their publications, and opportunities.