SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Robotics”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Robot-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced laparoscopic skills limit the implementation of laparoscopic pyeloplasty to centers with extensive experience. The introduction of robotic technology into the field of minimally invasive surgery has facilitated complex surgical dissection and genitourinary reconstruction. We report our experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty using the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System at 3 New York City medical centers. METHODS: A review of all robot-assisted laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty cases in 38 patients (21 females, 17 males) between April 2001 and January 2004 was performed. All patients had symptoms or radiographic evidence of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robotic assistance with the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System was used after preparation of the ureteropelvic junction with a standard laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: The average patient age was 39.3 years (range, 15 to 69). The mean operative time and suturing time were 225.6+/-59.3 minutes and 64.2+/-14.6 minutes. The average estimated blood loss was minimal at 77.3+/-55.3 mL. The mean length of hospitalization was 69.6 hours (range, 28 to 310). The average use of intravenous morphine was 26.5 mg (range, 0 to 162). No intraoperative complications occurred, and open conversions were not necessary. A mean follow-up of 12.2 months revealed a success rate of 94.7% with 2/38 patients requiring further treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This combined multi-institutional series reveals that robot-assisted pyeloplasty with the da Vinci Surgical System is safe and reproducible. These intermediate results appear comparable to results with open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty repairs.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The robot and the satellite for tele-operating echographic examination in Earth isolated sites, or onboard ISS.

UNLABELLED: The objective was to design and validate a method for tele-operating (from an expert site) an echographic examination in an isolated site. METHOD: The isolated places, defined as areas with reduced medical facilities, could be secondary hospitals 20 to 50 km from the university hospital, or dispensaries in Africa or Amazonia, or a moving structure like a rescue vehicle or the International Space Station (ISS). At the expert center, the ultrasound medical expert moves a fictive probe, connected to a computer (n degrees 1) which sends, the coordinate changes of this probe via an ISDN or satellite line to a second computer (n degrees 2), located at the isolated site, which applies them to the robotic arm holding the real echographic probe. RESULTS: The system was tested at Tours Hospital on 105 patients. A complete investigation (visualization) of all the organs requested for different clinical cases was obtained in 76% of the cases with the robot, and 87% at the reference echography: In 11% of the cases, at least one of the organ visualized at reference echo could not be investigated by the robot, thus the diagnostic was not done. The number of repositioning was higher for the robot (6.5 +/- 2) than for the reference echo (5.1 +/- 2 = or > 24% more with robot). The duration of the examination was higher with the robot (16 +/- 10 min) than for the reference echography (11 +/- 4 min = or > +43% with the robot compare to reference echography. The system was also tested successfully using satellite links in a limited number of cases (approx 30).

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed2006

Hybrid analysis of a spherical mechanism for a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) robot--design concepts for multiple optimizations.

Several criteria exist for determining the optimal design for a surgical robot. This paper considers kinematic performance metrics, which reward good kinematic performance, and dynamic performance metrics, which penalize poor dynamic performance. Kinematic and dynamic metrics are considered independently, and then combined to produce hybrid metrics. For each metric, the optimal design is the one that maximizes the performance metric over a specific design space. In the case of a 2-DOF spherical mechanism for a surgical robot, the optimal design determined by kinematic metrics is a robot arm with link angles (alpha(12)=90 degrees , alpha(23)=90 degrees ). The large link angles are the most dextrous, but have the greatest risk of robot-robot or robot-patient collisions and require the largest actuators. The link lengths determined by the dynamic metrics are much shorter, which reduces the risk of collisions, but tend to place the robot in singularities much more frequently. When the hybrid metrics are used, and a restriction that the arm must be able to reach a human's entire abdomen, the optimal design is around (alpha(12)=51 degrees, alpha(23)=54 degrees). The hybrid design provides a compromise between dexterity and compactness.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed1990

Robotic transportation.

Mobile robots perform fetch-and-carry tasks autonomously. An intelligent, sensor-equipped mobile robot does not require dedicated pathways or extensive facility modification. In the hospital, mobile robots can be used to carry specimens, pharmaceuticals, meals, etc. between supply centers, patient areas, and laboratories. The HelpMate (Transitions Research Corp.) mobile robot was developed specifically for hospital environments. To reach a desired destination, Help-Mate navigates with an on-board computer that continuously polls a suite of sensors, matches the sensor data against a pre-programmed map of the environment, and issues drive commands and path corrections. A sender operates the robot with a user-friendly menu that prompts for payload insertion and desired destination(s). Upon arrival at its selected destination, the robot prompts the recipient for a security code or physical key and awaits acknowledgement of payload removal. In the future, the integration of HelpMate with robot manipulators, test equipment, and central institutional information systems will open new applications in more localized areas and should help overcome difficulties in filling transport staff positions.

Hospital Departments↗

PubMed1990

Laboratory robotics and artificial intelligence.

Intelligent robots, which incorporate artificial intelligence in their controlling software, are the next step in bringing the laboratory robot to its full potential. The areas currently under study in our laboratory are improved user interfaces for laboratory robotics, the integration of object-oriented databases into robot control programs, and strategies to optimize multi-step procedures. The ultimate goal of this work is the Standard Robotics Method. The Standard Robotics Method we envision would allow a robotic method to be transferred from one laboratory to another.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed1984

Robots in industry: an overview.

Although the introduction of robots into manufacturing technology is a relatively recent phenomenon, there are indications that a rapid increase in the numbers of robots employed in industry is already taking place. Robots may be found in a wide variety of settings, performing a wide range of functions. These functions may be characterised in terms of whether the robot manipulates a tool or handles a workpiece. The human tasks associated with all robot installations are programming and maintenance. Other tasks vary depending on the particular robot application but are likely to fall into one of four categories. The use of robots has implications for safety and it is apparent that greater emphasis than hitherto must be laid on the design and implementation of procedures to ensure safety.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Robotic Surgery, the First 100 Cases: Where Do We Go from Here?

Abstract Background: Since the robot-assisted cardiac surgery program at this center was initiated in September 1998 the results have been regularly critically evaluated. We report a retrospective review of the first 100 robotic procedures and their evolution. Methods: Between September 1998 and May 2001, 146 patients underwent robot-assisted procedures. All procedures were performed using the Aesop robotically controlled camera or the Zeus robotic system. A harmonic scalpel was used for all internal thoracic artery (ITA) dissections whether the dissections were performed manually or with the Zeus robotic system. Results: There were 123 closed-heart and 23 open-heart procedures, which included 8 atrial-septal defect repairs, 11 mitral valve repairs, 4 mitral valve replacements, 57 Aesop ITA takedowns, 68 Zeus ITA takedowns, and 13 totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafts. Graft patency in Aesop and Zeus ITA takedown groups was 96%. All the patients were New York Heart Association class I after their procedures. Conclusion: With the development of surgical robots, it has been possible to perform endoscopic cardiac surgery for selected cases. Future directions will be demonstrated, including telementoring, telesurgery, and Zeus-assisted initiatives in cardiac surgery and other surgical disciplines.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Robot-assisted versus freehand cannulated-screw fixation for femoral neck fractures: a systematic review of technical, clinical and adoption outcomes.

Robot-assisted guidance may improve the technical precision of percutaneous cannulated-screw fixation for femoral neck fractures. Whether these procedural advantages translate into better clinical outcomes remains uncertain. We compared robot-assisted and conventional freehand fixation in adults with femoral neck fractures. MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL were searched from inception to 15 July 2026 without language restrictions. Google Scholar was used only as a supplementary search source, together with forward and backward citation searching. Comparative studies of robot-assisted versus freehand fluoroscopy-guided cannulated-screw fixation were included. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I, with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale used as a complementary appraisal of non-randomised studies. Random-effects meta-analyses included prediction intervals and prespecified sensitivity analyses. The protocol was registered prospectively (PROSPERO CRD420261465038). Sixteen comparative studies involving 1,293 participants were included. Of these, 597 underwent robot-assisted fixation and 696 underwent freehand fixation. Two studies reporting random allocation and 14 non-randomised studies were included in the study. Robot-assisted fixation was associated with fewer guide-wire manipulations, greater screw-placement accuracy and 13.9 fewer fluoroscopic acquisitions per procedure (95% confidence interval [CI] -20.3 to -7.5). Earlier radiographic healing and modestly higher final Harris Hip Scores were also observed. Pooled estimates suggested lower risks of union failure, avascular necrosis and composite complications. Fluoroscopy duration, overall operative time and reoperation did not differ significantly. Heterogeneity was substantial for several continuous outcomes, with prediction intervals crossing the null for several estimates, indicating that the magnitude of benefit varied considerably between studies. Some clinical associations were also sensitive to eligibility-restricted analyses. Robot-assisted cannulated-screw fixation improves technical execution compared with freehand fixation. Patient-important clinical superiority and economic value have not been established, and evidence concerning learning curves, operator acceptability and system reliability remains insufficient. Current evidence does not support routine widespread adoption; adequately powered multicentre randomised trials incorporating economic and implementation evaluation are required.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Robotic assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy -- first experience and the hybrid port technique.

Robot-assisted renal surgery is usually performed transperitoneally due to more available space for excursion of the robotic arms. To our knowledge, we report the first experience with robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy using the Da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and a hybrid port technique. Robotic retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy was performed on two male patients. One 37-year-old patient had a painful non-functioning hydronephrotic left kidney and megaureter; the other aged 76 had a muscle invasive lower left ureteric tumour. Both the procedures were successfully completed with the robot without conversion. Mean operative time was 182.5 min and estimated blood loss 75 ml. Histological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnoses; margins were clear in the patient with tumour. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. We report the technical feasibility of robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy. However, as with all new technology, the benefits need to be further evaluated and proven before this technique can be widely accepted.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Development and in vitro testing of a miniature robotic system for computer-assisted colonoscopy.

In this article we present a new concept for computer-assisted colonoscopy based on a miniature robot capable of propelling itself semiautonomously along the colon. The miniature robot is designed to perform the same functions as current colonoscopy systems-i.e., visualization and tissue sampling for biopsy-and exploits an innovative inchworm-like locomotion principle based on adhering to the colon wall by vacuum suction. The miniature robot is connected by a thin and flexible umbilical cable to an external control unit; this unit provides pneumatic actuation signals in the appropriate sequence to the miniature robot, and information on the robot's functioning to the endoscopist, who can either teleoperate or directly supervise its operation. A prototype colonoscopy system using this robot has been fabricated and tested in vitro, with promising results. The proposed concept has strong potential for further development, since miniaturization and functional integration of instrumentation and tools, together with computer assistance, not only make colonoscopy more acceptable, but can also open up a wide range of new applications in endoluminal diagnosis, therapy, and surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Robot-assisted abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotic assistance or telemanipulation is the latest technological advance in minimally invasive surgery. Its future implementation will depend on the advantages that it can provide over standard laparoscopy or open surgery. METHODS: All Medline-cited papers (from case reports to reviews) about telemanipulators used in visceral surgery were assessed. The data in each paper were analysed to enable an up-to-date review of robot-assisted abdominal surgery by the most advanced telemanipulator (da Vinci). RESULTS: Most papers presented case series demonstrating the feasibility of robotic technology in performing a specific procedure. Comparative studies of robot-assisted surgery versus standard laparoscopic or open surgery were usually matched cohort studies. They generally showed an increased operating time for robot-assisted procedures but with similar rates of conversion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and mortality in comparison to those of laparoscopic surgery. Consistent long-term follow-up data were missing and only one randomized clinical trial was conducted. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted surgery appears safe and feasible for certain standard surgical procedures. However, at its current level of development, it offers no clear, significant advantage over standard laparoscopic techniques.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2005

Endo-robotic resection of the submandibular gland in a cadaver model.

BACKGROUND: By means of a prospective, nonrandomized investigation, we evaluated the feasibility of performing endo-robotic resection of the submandibular gland in a cadaver model and compared the results of robotically enhanced endoscopic surgery with those from a conventional endoscopic technique. METHODS: Procedural times were recorded in a consecutive series of 11 endoscopic submandibular gland resections using the daVinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) and a modified endoscopic surgical approach previously developed in a porcine model. The presence of neurovascular injury was assessed postoperatively, and the specimens were examined histologically. RESULTS: Eleven endo-robotic submandibular gland resections were successfully performed in six cadavers (no conversions to open resection were necessary). The median duration of the procedures was 48 minutes (range, 33-82 minutes). Creation of the operative pocket took an average (+/-SD) of 12.2 +/- 5.3 minutes, assembly of the robot required 9.3 +/- 4.1 minutes, and the mean time for submandibular gland resection was 29.4 +/- 8.9 minutes. The time required for robotic assembly was offset by the reduced operative time necessary compared with conventional endoscopic resection. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of normal glandular architecture, without evidence of excessive mechanical or thermal injury. There were no cases of apparent neurovascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Robotically enhanced endoscopic surgery in the neck is feasible and offers a number of compelling advantages over conventional endoscopic neck surgery. Clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether these advantages can be achieved in clinical practice.

Cadaver↗

PubMed2001

State of the art in surgical robotics: clinical applications and technology challenges.

Although it has been over 15 years since the first recorded use of a robot for a surgical procedure, the field of medical robotics is still an emerging one that has not yet reached a critical mass. Although robots have the potential to improve the precision and capabilities of physicians, the number of robots in clinical use is still very small. In this review article, we begin with a short historical review of medical robotics, followed by an overview of clinical applications where robots have been applied. The clinical applications are then discussed; they include neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, maxillofacial surgery, radiosurgery, ophthalmology, and cardiac surgery. We conclude with a listing of technology challenges and research areas, including system architecture, software design, mechanical design, imaging compatible systems, user interface, and safety issues.

Computer Systems↗

PubMed2005

Fetal tele-echography using a robotic arm and a satellite link.

OBJECTIVE: To design a method for conducting fetal ultrasound examinations in isolated hospital sites using a dedicated remotely controlled robotic arm (tele-echography). METHODS: Tele-echography was performed from our hospital (expert center) on 29 pregnant women in an isolated maternity hospital (patient site) 1700 km away, and findings were compared with those of conventional ultrasound examinations. At the patient site, a robotic arm holding the real ultrasound probe was placed on the patient's abdomen by an assistant with no experience of performing ultrasound. The robotic arm, remotely controlled with a fictive (expert) probe, reproduced the exact movements (tilting and rotating) of the expert hand on the real ultrasound probe. RESULTS: In 93.1% of the cases, all biometric parameters, placental location and amniotic fluid volume, were correctly assessed using the teleoperated robotic arm. In two cases, femur length could not be correctly measured. The mean duration of fetal ultrasound examination was 14 min (range, 10-18) and 18 min (range, 13-23) by conventional and tele-echography methods, respectively. The mean number of times the robotic arm was repositioned on the patient's abdomen was seven (range, 5-9). CONCLUSION: Tele-echography using a robotic arm provides the main information needed to assess fetal growth and the intrauterine environment within a limited period of time.

Female↗

PubMed1997

Autonomy in robots and other agents.

The word "autonomous" has become widely used in artificial intelligence, robotics, and, more recently, artificial life and is typically used to qualify types of systems, agents, or robots: we see terms like "autonomous systems," "autonomous agents," and "autonomous robots." Its use in these fields is, however, both weak, with no distinctions being made that are not better and more precisely made with other existing terms, and varied, with no single underlying concept being involved. This ill-disciplined usage contrasts strongly with the use of the same term in other fields such as biology, philosophy, ethics, law, and human rights, for example. In all these quite different areas the concept of autonomy is essentially the same, though the language used and the aspects and issues of concern, of course, differ. In all these cases the underlying notion is one of self-law making and the closely related concept of self-identity. In this paper I argue that the loose and varied use of the term autonomous in artificial intelligence, robotics, and artificial life has effectively robbed these fields of an important concept. A concept essentially the same as we find it in biology, philosophy, ethics, and law, and one that is needed to distinguish a particular kind of agent or robot from those developed and built so far. I suggest that robots and other agents will have to be autonomous, i.e., self-law making, not just self-regulating, if they are to be able effectively to deal with the kinds of environments in which we live and work: environments which have significant large scale spatial and temporal invariant structure, but which also have large amounts of local spatial and temporal dynamic variation and unpredictability, and which lead to the frequent occurrence of previously unexperienced situations for the agents that interact with them.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Robotic surgery.

The industrial revolution demonstrated the capability of robotic systems to facilitate and improve manufacturing. As a result, robotics extended to various other domains, including the delivery of health care. Hence, robots have been developed to assist hospital staff, to facilitate laboratory analyses, to augment patient rehabilitation, and even to advance surgical performance. As robotics lead usefulness and gain wider acceptance among the surgical community, the urologist should become familiar with this new interdisciplinary field and its "URobotics" subset: robotics applied to urology. This article reviews the current applications and experience, issues and debates in surgical robotics, and highlights future directions in the field.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2004

[Primary rotatory stability of robot-assisted and manually implanted hip endoprosthesis stems].

In our study we compared the primary rotatory stability of hip endoprostheses implanted with the help of a robot and manually implanted stems. We examined three different types of prosthesis stems: Osteolock (Stryker-Howmedica), CBC (Mathys), and Excia (Aesculap). Ten stems of each prosthesis type were implanted in identical polyurethane foam blocks: five were implanted manually and five with the help of a robot (CASPAR, URS-Ortho). After implantation, the stem was subjected to a defined rotatory stress. The torsional moment necessary to break the stem out of the foam was documented with the help of special software. The force-displacement diagrams after robot-assisted implantations were homogeneous for each type of prosthesis. After manual preparation, the diagrams were very inhomogeneous. The rotatory test also showed very consistent results for the robot-implanted stems. The range of results after manual implantation was much higher. In all types of prostheses the use of the robot system led to a higher rotatory stability compared to the manual group. The CBC stem was most stable for rotatory forces after robot-assisted implantation compared to the other two types. After manual implantation there was no difference in stability between the different stems.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

PubMed2003

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: the Frankfurt technique.

The robotic technique, which was first introduced in laparoscopic heart surgery, has revolutionized laparoscopic surgery over the last 5 years. In May 2000, our department accomplished the first robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Since that time we have performed more than 118 such procedures and several other laparoscopic operations using the robotic technique. We here summarize our experience in robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy as it has been developed over the past 3 years. Between May 2000 and May 2003, 118 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were operated using the telerobotic da Vinci Surgical System. Operations were performed with a senior surgeon at the console, assisted by an assistant and a nurse at the operating table. Bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection was undertaken as a first step in all patients. In the initial 60 cases, we investigated different laparoscopic approaches. We used transperitoneal as well as extraperitoneal approaches. For dissection of the prostate we used ascending, descending as well as combined techniques. The combined ascending and descending technique via the transperitoneal route was chosen in 30 patients, and via the extraperitoneal route in seven patients. A modification of the descending Montsouris technique was performed in 81 patients. The robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the da Vinci system has been well standardized. After performing more than 100 radical prostatectomies with this system, we conclude that in our hands the Montsouris technique with only minor adoptions is the most appropriate technique for performing robot assisted radical prostatectomy.

Humans↗