Robotics in minimally invasive surgery

Abstract

Minimally Invasive Surgery is a relative term. Anything that can reduce the trauma of entry and access to the site of the procedure will be of great benefit. Robots have a considerable part to play in this. Because they can carry out precise motions along predetermined trajectories to achieve very accurate positions, the entry wound can be made minimal. Robots can also accurately carry out repetitive motions and do not require good vision to avoid getting `lost' inside a cavity. All these aspects give robots a considerable potential in minimally invasive surgery. The term robot in this regard is generally used loosely to include not only externally powered reprogrammable manipulating devices but also computer assisted devices. The latter may be passive arms, held by the surgeon, which are used to point at targets displayed on a computer screen. They may also include sensors attached to tools to keep track of the tool relative to a target. (2 pages)