Powering Precision in Surgical Robotics

What’s smaller than a coin, tougher than titanium, and powers surgical robots of tomorrow?

It’s not software or sensors; it’s magnets. Yet, most teams treat magnet selection as an afterthought until it becomes a major bottleneck. In high-precision surgical robotics, magnets don’t just move parts. They are a core technology that enables precision motion, sensing and actuation, sterilizable sealed designs, and real-time feedback.

To succeed, you need more than strong materials, you need custom magnetics built for biocompatibility, tight tolerances, and FDA readiness. That’s where Dexter comes in.

Magnets Are the Unsung Heroes of Surgical Robotics

Magnets are fundamental to a surgical robot’s performance. They enable compact, high-torque motors and provide the reliable feedback needed for precision control. From contactless magnetic couplings that maintain sterile barriers to magnetic dampers that stabilize motion, magnets are everywhere. They are an invisible, mission-critical component that elevates performance and reliability.

• Actuation & Motion Control: Permanent magnets power the brushless motors and actuators that move robotic arms with pinpoint accuracy. This enables surgeons to perform complex procedures with unparalleled control.
• Sensors & Feedback: Magnetic encoders and Hall-effect sensors provide real-time position and force feedback. This data is essential for the haptic controls that allow surgeons to feel resistance and tissue texture.
• Instrument Handling: Magnetic grippers and holders simplify tool changes and ensure instruments are secure and organized, improving workflow and reducing human error.

The miniaturization trend in medical devices is driving the need for increasingly compact and powerful magnetic solutions. With less invasive procedures, high-performance magnets that fit into tiny spaces are essential.

The Precision Behind the Power

Choosing the right magnet is a complex, multidisciplinary task. Engineers must balance magnetic strength with size, geometry, and biocompatibility. Rare-earth magnets like neodymium (NdFeB) and samarium cobalt (SmCo) are the industry standard due to their high strength-to-size ratio.

However, selecting the right material is only the first step. There are several other considerations:

• Tight Tolerances: Surgical robotics demands micro-precision. Even tiny misalignments in magnets can degrade performance. Custom machining and micro-fabrication are critical to producing the intricate Halbach arrays and thin ring magnets required for these systems.
• Biocompatibility and Coatings: Since surgical robots operate near or inside patients, magnets require specialized coatings like Parylene, gold, or titanium. These coatings not only protect against corrosion during sterilization, they also ensure biocompatibility. Dexter’s coatings have been proven to enhance usability and safety of medical devices.
• Regulatory Compliance: Regulations like FDA and ISO 13485 must be considered from the start. You need a partner who can provide documented, validated processes to streamline regulatory approval.

Partner with a Magnetic Expert

Dexter isn’t just a magnet supplier; we are a strategic partner. We bring decades of expertise to the medical device industry, offering end-to-end solutions that de-risk your development and accelerate your time to market.

• Vertically Integrated Solutions: Our ISO 13485 certified processes cover the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept and rapid prototyping to precision manufacturing and quality-certified assembly.
• Miniaturization Expertise: We specialize in miniature magnet designs for minimally invasive tools, routinely supplying tiny magnets for sub-millimeter forceps and endoscopic instruments.
• Rapid Prototyping: Our Rapid Prototype Shop quickly fabricates and tests prototype magnets, helping you validate designs and iterate faster.
• Cleanroom Assembly: Our Class 10,000 (ISO 7) cleanrooms ensure that assembled components are integrated into your systems without additional handling.

You can focus on building the robotic system while we handle the magnets.

Unlock Surgical Precision

Magnets are a critical, often overlooked, technology that enables surgical robots to be smaller, faster, and more precise. Working with a trusted magnetics partner can make the difference between a functional prototype and a market-ready medical device.

Ready to see how custom magnetic solutions can power precision in your next surgical robot?

Speak with a medical device specialist today. We’ll help you navigate the complexities of magnetic design, manage regulatory requirements, and deliver a solution that elevates your product.