The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery
BackgroundThis paper presents a novel tactile sensing robot designed to characterize the viscoelastic behaviour of breast tissue during clinical breast examination (CBE). The robot, named the ‘robotic tactile breast mass identifier’ (Robo‐Tac‐BMI), mainly consists of an indentation probe controlled by a robotic system and a visualization interface to manipulate the end‐effector. Major high order mechanical...
BackgroundCompared with conventional minimally invasive surgery and open surgery, robotic‐assisted minimally invasive surgery can overcome or eliminate drawbacks caused by operator restrictions, motion limitation by the trocar and the image system, such as fatigue, trembling, low precision, constrained degree‐of‐freedom, poor hand–eye coordination and restricted surgical vision. In this paper, a novel...
BackgroundTraditional endoscopy may cause tissue trauma and discomfort to patients because of the use of relatively long and semi‐rigid scopes.
MethodsA wireless robotic endoscope has been designed based on minimally invasive locomotion and wireless techniques for energy, monitoring, and telecontrol.
ResultsThe robotic endoscope can move forward or backward effectively in a smooth synthetic glass...
BackgroundMR elastography (MRE) is an emerging technique for tumor diagnosis. MRE actuation devices require precise mechanical design and radiofrequency engineering to achieve the required mechanical vibration performance and MR compatibility.
MethodA method of designing a general‐purpose, compact and inexpensive MRE actuator is presented. It comprises piezoelectric bimorphs arranged in a resonant...
BackgroundBased on the background of minimally invasive surgery and applications of medical robots, a vascular interventional robotic system has been developed that can be used in the field of vascular intervention.
MethodsThe robotic system comprises a propulsion system, an image navigation system and a virtual surgery training system. Integration of the three systems constitutes a vascular intervention...
BackgroundSince the introduction of robotics, relatively few series have been published evaluating its role for right colectomy. The aim of this study was to report our preliminary experience with totally robotic right colectomy (TRRC).
MethodsBetween 2009 and 2010 we performed three TRRCs, using a hand‐sewn intracorporeal anastomosis. Data were retrospectively reviewed.
ResultsTwo women and one...
BackgroundAlthough the use of robotic laparoscopic surgery has increased in popularity, training protocols for gaining proficiency in robotic surgical skills are not well established. The purpose of this study was to examine a fundamental training program that provides an effective approach to evaluate and improve robotic surgical skills performance using the da Vinci™ Surgical System.
MethodsFifteen...
BackgroundFemoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is increasingly recognized as a potential cause of hip osteoarthritis. A system capable of pre‐operatively simulating hip range of motion (ROM) by given surface models from either healthy or FAI diseased bone is desirable.
MethodsAn impingement detection system using bounding sphere hierarchies was first developed. Both precision and accuracy of the impingement...
ObjectiveTo compare the surgical and pathological outcomes of patients with right‐sided colon cancers operated on by means of open and robotic surgery with extracorporeal anastomosis.
MethodsThirty‐three consecutive patients who underwent robotic right hemicolectomy due to right‐sided colon cancer were retrospectively well matched with 102 patients operated on by the open approach. Data were included...
BackgroundOptical assistance in laparoscopic surgery is essential for an optimal procedure. Unlike conventional surgery, it requires new systems to reduce spatial location time, navigation and cleanliness without compromising surgical quality. This article shows the kinematic analysis of a new bio‐mechatronic design to assist laparoscopic visual perspective in real time, either during training or...
BackgroundThe interest of robotics in performing partial and total splenectomy is poorly reported so far. We report herein our experience.
MethodsFrom November 2001 to November 2009, 24 consecutive robotic splenectomies were performed by the same surgeon. All data were prospectively collected and reviewed retrospectively.
ResultsTwelve men and 12 women with a median age of 48 years underwent a robotic...
BackgroundAutonomous control of surgical robotic platforms may offer enhancements such as higher precision, intelligent manoeuvres, tissue‐damage avoidance, etc. Autonomous robotic systems in surgery are largely at the experimental level. However, they have also reached clinical application.
MethodsA literature review pertaining to commercial medical systems which incorporate autonomous and semi‐autonomous...
BackgroundCT‐guided intervention is routinely performed in an iterative fashion that often leads to lengthy operation and high X‐ray exposure to patients. To streamline the workflow, we develop a patient‐mount navigation system for assisting needle placement in CT‐guided interventions.
MethodsThe system comprises three components, a miniature patient‐mount tracking unit, an auto‐registered reference‐frame...
BackgroundColorectal surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by general surgeons, with an increasing number being performed laparoscopically. Robotic technology is emerging in the ongoing evolution in minimally invasive surgery. This study systematically reviews the literature regarding the safety and feasibility of robotic‐assisted colorectal surgery.
MethodsA comprehensive search...
BackgroundCurrently, most of mitral valve annuloplasty surgeries are performed by using open heart surgery. However, if such operation would be performed by using minimally invasive surgery via catheter‐based techniques (CBT), it offers various advantages for both surgeons and patients.
MethodsTwo piezoresistive force sensors are used in the structure of the tactile sensor, which can easily be miniaturized...
BackgroundImage‐guided neurosurgery usually involves a point‐pair registration between two spaces, associating the patient in the operating room with pre‐operative image scans. The distribution and number of fiducial markers during registration are critical for the expected error at the target point.
MethodsA genetic algorithm has been designed to provide an optimal marker configuration. The solution,...
BackgroundArthroscopy of the shoulder is a well‐established diagnostic procedure which has widespread application. Advances in technology and the search for more minimal invasive surgery will always offer new techniques in any surgical field. Robotic technology is such an advance, offering technical advantages over standard laparoscopic approaches. The aim of the present study is to test whether robotic...
BackgroundFor robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the magnetic coil is placed on the patient's head by a robot. As the robotized TMS system requires tracking of head movements, robot and tracking camera need to be calibrated. However, for robotized TMS in a clinical setting, such calibration is required frequently. Mounting/unmounting a marker to the end effector and moving the robot...
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to provide pooled analysis of individually small trials comparing robotic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RRYGB) with standard laparoscopic RYGB (LRYGB).
MethodsA systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Primary outcome measures were the incidence of anastomotic leak and stricture. Secondary outcome measures were post‐operative...
BackgroundDespite the recent advances in catheter design and technology, intra‐cardiac navigation during electrophysiology procedures remains challenging. Incorporation of imaging along with magnetic or robotic guidance may improve navigation accuracy and procedural safety. In the present study, the in vivo performance of a novel remote controlled Robot Assisted Cardiac Navigation System (RACN) was...