From Passive Tool Holders to Microsurgeons: Safer, Smaller, Smarter Surgical Robots

Within only a few decades from its initial introduction, the field of surgical robotics has evolved into a dynamic and rapidly growing research area with increasing clinical uptake worldwide. Initially introduced for stereotaxic neurosurgery, surgical robots are now involved in an increasing number...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on biomedical engineering 2014-05, Vol.61 (5), p.1565-1576
Main Authors: Bergeles, Christos, Yang, Guang-Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Devices
Dynamics
Humans
Laparoscopes
Manipulators
Medical robotics
Microrobots
Microsurgery - instrumentation
minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation
Neurosurgery
Platforms
Robotic Surgical Procedures - instrumentation
Robotics
Robotics - instrumentation
Robots
Service robots
Surgeons
surgical robots
Tool holders
Uptakes
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Summary:Within only a few decades from its initial introduction, the field of surgical robotics has evolved into a dynamic and rapidly growing research area with increasing clinical uptake worldwide. Initially introduced for stereotaxic neurosurgery, surgical robots are now involved in an increasing number of procedures, demonstrating their practical clinical potential while propelling further advances in surgical innovations. Emerging platforms are also able to perform complex interventions through only a single-entry incision, and navigate through natural anatomical pathways in a tethered or wireless fashion. New devices facilitate superhuman dexterity and enable the performance of surgical steps that are otherwise impossible. They also allow seamless integration of microimaging techniques at the cellular level, significantly expanding the capabilities of surgeons. This paper provides an overview of the significant achievements in surgical robotics and identifies the current trends and future research directions of the field in making surgical robots safer, smaller, and smarter.
ISSN:0018-9294
1558-2531
DOI:10.1109/TBME.2013.2293815