V.D. Nithya

Vellore Institute of Technology University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

V.D. Nithya is a robotics researcher focused on advancing minimally invasive surgery through innovative haptic feedback and ultra-thin instrument design. Her work centers on developing robotic surgical tools that enhance precision and tactile sensation for surgeons. Her most cited paper, "Design and development of a 5 DOFs robotic surgical instrument with a force feedback for RAMIS" (2018, 8 citations), introduces a five-degree-of-freedom instrument that integrates force feedback, enabling surgeons to "feel" tissue interactions during robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RAMIS). Building on this, her 2017 paper (4 citations) establishes the foundational framework for implementing force feedback in surgical robotics. A standout contribution is her 2018 work on a shape memory alloy reinforced 5 mm ultra-thin rigid link instrument (2 citations), which replaces bulky mechanical gears with a smart alloy for superior gripping, while housing a unique force sensor directly at the gripper. This design breakthrough allows for unprecedented dexterity and sensitivity in confined surgical spaces. Though her citation counts are modest, Nithya’s research addresses critical challenges in surgical robotics—miniaturization, haptic feedback, and material innovation—laying groundwork for safer, more intuitive robotic surgery. Her work exemplifies how targeted engineering solutions can transform clinical practice.