Transforming Lunchroom Concepts into Surgical Innovations: The UCF Project
The Evolution of a Unique Student Project
An engaging student engineering project that initially aimed to track cafeteria forks has evolved into a pioneering system poised to enhance robotic surgery at Orlando Health. This innovative transition demonstrates how creative thinking and cutting-edge technology can converge to significantly improve healthcare practices.
UCF’s Inspiring Journey Towards AIMS
Under the guidance of Laura Brattain, a UCF biomedical engineer, six seniors from the College of Engineering and Computer Science collaborated to develop the AIMS (AI for Medical Surgery) system. The primary goal of this project is to monitor surgical staples effectively, ultimately enabling surgical teams to operate with greater efficiency. This initiative showcases the university’s commitment to fostering real-world solutions through its Senior Design capstone course.
A Real-World Application in Medicine
The students were tasked with creating a usable product before graduation, and their endeavor culminated in a fully functional end-to-end application. This application has undergone multiple rigorous tests in real operating rooms at Orlando Health, ensuring that it meets the industry’s stringent demands. Alexis Sanchez, the robotic surgery program director at Orlando Regional Medical Center, played an integral role in the project’s development and is currently implementing the AIMS system in his surgical procedures.
Bridging Engineering and Medicine
As Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University, UCF offers a rich environment that nurtures technological innovation aimed at enhancing community health. Brattain’s research focuses on blending biomedical AI with surgical robotics and medical ultrasonics to drive healthcare advancements. Her dual roles as an associate professor at the College of Medicine and faculty member of the UCF AI Initiative illustrate the university’s multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving in healthcare.
Potential for Broader Applications
Sanchez envisions the potential for AIMS to expand into various medical applications. In addition to tracking surgical staples, the technology could harness data to oversee instrument utilization during traditional surgeries, thereby optimizing overall performance in the operating room.
Orlando Health’s Alexis Sanchez (far right) believes medical-engineering partnerships are crucial for tackling medical challenges.
Commitment to Efficiency and Sustainability
Sanchez emphasizes the importance of efficiency, particularly in the high-paced environment of surgical operations. “Detecting waste has incredible potential to enhance both efficiency and sustainability,” he affirms. This collaboration signifies a mutual commitment by both Orlando Health and UCF to innovate in ways that positively impact community healthcare.
How AIMS Works
Many surgical tools are classified as disposable. Once they are removed from sterile packaging and placed on an operating room table, they must be disposed of—even if unused. This poses significant challenges in resource waste. Robotic surgeries introduce an additional complexity; during these procedures, the robot performs simultaneous cutting and stapling of tissues, making it difficult to predict the exact number of staples required.
Observational Learning: Improving Medical Solutions
Brattain’s hands-on experience during robotic surgeries provided critical insights. Accompanying Sanchez throughout the surgical process allowed her to pinpoint areas for technological advancements. The students were challenged to develop a system capable of tracking how many staples were placed on the surgical table versus how many were utilized, ultimately contributing to waste reduction.
Students Making an Impact
Brattain emphasized to her students that beyond developing software, they have the power to create meaningful impacts in healthcare. “Collaborating with clinical experts enables us to tackle real issues and subsequently improve patient care,” she remarked.
Cutting-Edge Technology in the OR
AIMS employs a camera feed linked to a computer within the operating room. During surgery, the AI software directs the camera to document every staple introduced into the room and tracks its usage. Analyzing this data helps surgical teams avoid unnecessary stapling, directly reducing waste and optimizing inventory management.
Navigating Real-World Challenges
The students faced numerous hurdles while iterating the software in a dynamic surgical environment. Initially, they overlooked the low-light conditions of operating rooms, which necessitated adjustments to the camera’s angles and settings. Other challenges arose, such as obstructions in the camera view caused by surgical staff or equipment.
Learning from Experience
Brattain expressed gratitude to Sanchez and his team for the invaluable opportunities they provided to the students. “Experiencing real-world scenarios and understanding the intricate workings of the operating room is something that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting,” she said.
The Vision of Senior Design Projects
The Senior Design capstone aims to allow students to proclaim, “I actually made something.” Matthew Gerber, a faculty member who leads the module, voiced appreciation for projects that translate into tangible applications. “We wish this sort of real-world impact happened more frequently,” he added.
Expanding Education in Medical Robotics
This semester, Brattain revived an Introduction to Medical Robotics course, giving engineering students insights into the design and manipulation of medical robots. The course includes site visits to Sanchez’s team, where students gain firsthand experience with the Da Vinci robotic system. This educational initiative fosters valuable connections between students and practicing professionals.
A Shared Sense of Accomplishment
Sanchez, present during the students’ project presentation, noted the emotional impact it had on the young engineers. “One student approached me with tears in his eyes, saying, ‘I always hoped my skills would help humanity one day, and now I have,’” Sanchez recounted. Such moments signify the profound impact of collaborative projects on students and healthcare.
Future Prospects in Hospital Engineering
Gerber is optimistic about the potential for further intersections between engineering and medicine. “Doctors face information overload on a daily basis; AI can help filter and present critical data more concisely, alleviating cognitive strain.”
Building Meaningful Partnerships
Orlando Health’s status as a UCF Pegasus Partner facilitates opportunities for engagement across both organizations. This relationship encompasses talent development, collaborative research projects, shared initiatives, and strategic philanthropy. Working side by side promotes synergy that could lead to significant advancements in the medical field throughout Central Florida.
Students’ Pride in Their Work
Rachel Leiner, a recent UCF graduate, proudly served as the student leader for the AIMS project. “Transforming this academic assignment into a tool that enhances hospital workflows gives me immense satisfaction. From tracking forks to managing surgical staples, we evolved substantially in just eight months," she reflected.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
The collaborative efforts between UCF engineering students and Orlando Health signify a promising future for the integration of technology and medicine. As they continue to tackle real-world challenges, projects like AIMS underscore the transformative power of innovation in improving healthcare efficiency and sustainability. Through their dedication, these young engineers are not only preparing for successful careers but also enhancing the lives of patients in their communities.
