Types of Robotic Surgery Machines

Robotics are making inroads in the medical field, assisting in the performance of procedures that require a high level of precision. This relatively new technology allows surgeons to execute minimally invasive surgeries more efficiently and radiation oncologists to deliver highly focused radiation treatments. Several type of robotic systems exist, each one designed for handling the task of assisting in various medical procedures.

Supervisor-Controlled Surgical Systems

• A supervisor-controlled robotic surgical system offers the highest level of automation. It does require a significant amount of preparation to set up to perform each surgery. A specific set of commands, unique to both the patient and the procedure being performed, is first entered into the system by the surgeon and support team. This is accomplished with extensive mapping of the body using three-dimensional medical imaging. Just prior to the surgery, the system is then registered to match the patient's body to the mapping in the surgical system. Finally, the surgery begins. Once the surgery is under way, the robotic system will automatically execute the procedure. The surgeon will observe the procedure intently, and intervene only if necessary.

Shared Control Robotic Surgical Systems

• While these systems assist in performing surgical procedures, the human surgeon will perform most of the work, actually operating the surgical tools by hand. The system will monitor the activities of the surgeon. It then assists by helping to stabilize and support the surgeon's movements using a technique called active constraint. In this technique, areas of the surgical field are identified as forbidden, boundary, close and safe. Through forced feedback in the surgical tools, the system will limit their use within the appropriate area. As with supervisor-controlled systems, there is some setup required by the surgeon prior to the procedure to define the regions of the surgical field.

Telesurgery Systems

• With this system, a surgeon actually directs the actions of robotic arms. In effect, the robot becomes an extension of the surgeon. The system consists of surgical arms within a surgical suite and a separate viewing and control console. The surgeon will view the surgical field in a three-dimensional viewing screen and will manipulate the robotic arms from hand-held controls within the console. Another surgeon in the surgical suite will change out tools on the robotic arms as needed during the procedure. Small incisions will be made in the body and the tools will then be inserted. Once this step is complete, the surgeon can then operate. These systems are known for providing a means to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Robotic Radiosurgery Systems

• Robots are also used in delivering radiation for the treatment of tumors. These systems use robotics to control highly focused beams of ionizing radiation to precise locations within the body. Medical imaging first locates the tumor and a map of the area to be treated is created. A series of commands are then entered by the physician into the system to instruct it how to deliver the treatment. The patient is then registered with the system for proper positioning of the body and the treatment is begun. The robotics will then follow the commands to precisely deliver a series of doses to the tumor. This reduces the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.