Robotic aided transurethral resection of the prostate

摘要

A new robot was purpose built for prostatectomy. This was designed to be constrained to work within a small volume only, approximately the size of a large prostate. No movement is possible outside of this region, removing the possibility of trauma in the case of a malfunction. The robot is powered by four motors. This robot has shown that automated prostate resection is possible. The use of an integrated ultrasound system enables a prostate resection model to be generated quickly at the time of surgery, and the robot is capable of resecting the prostate accurately using this model. Although the process is automated, the surgeon is still in control of the robot. Initial results are promising, however, the system is still under trial and requires a larger patient database and the results of long term tests to prove its effectiveness. (3 pages)