Spine Surgery Robots
With advances in robotics and computer technology, a new generation of robotic surgical systems are being developed to help surgeons perform minimally invasive spine surgeries with improved precision, flexibility and control. These robotic systems use computer guidance to assist the surgeon during spine procedures such as screw insertion, disc replacement and spinal fusions.
Da Vinci Spine Surgery Robots - The Leader in Robotic Spine Surgery
One of the most widely used robotic surgical platforms is the da Vinci Spine Surgery Robots manufactured by Intuitive Surgical. Originally developed for general surgery procedures, the da Vinci System has been used in over 3 million surgeries globally and is also being adopted for complex spine surgeries. The da Vinci System provides the surgeon with an advanced imaging system along with instruments that bend and rotate through small incisions to access the spine from multiple angles. This allows the surgeon improved 3D visualization, enhanced dexterity and greater range of motion compared to traditional minimally invasive techniques. Studies have shown that the robotic system enables surgeons to perform complex reconstructive spinal fusion surgeries through smaller incisions, leading to less post-operative pain and faster recovery for patients. The system also enables telesurgery capabilities where the surgeon can operate the robotic arms from a remote location.
Mazor X Stealth Edition - A Robotic Guidance System for Spine Surgery
Designed specifically for spine surgery applications, the Mazor X Stealth Edition is a robot-assisted surgical guidance system which helps surgeons accurately place screws and instruments during spine surgeries. Using pre-operative CT images that are registered to the patient in real time using fiducial markers, the Mazor system provides real-time guidance to the surgeon for procedures like pedicle screw insertion. The system allows the surgeon to manually drive screws or instruments along trajectories that have been pre-planned on the imaging scans. This increases screw placement accuracy and can reduce risks of neurovascular injury compared to manual techniques.The system also creates a 3D record of the surgical workspace which enables the collection of data for post-operative analysis and planning of revision procedures. Studies show that the Mazor system helps achieve screw placement accuracy rates of over 95 percent even for complex spine cases.
Globus Medical ExcelsiusGPS - A Robotic Platform for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
ExcelsiusGPS from Globus Medical is a robotics-assisted surgical platform designed for minimally invasive spine surgeries like disc replacements and fusions. Using pre-operative CT images, the excelsiusGPS creates a 3D model of the patient's anatomy and identifies optimal screw trajectories. During surgery, the robotic arm of the excelsiusGPS is registered to anatomical landmarks using optical tracking. It then guides the insertion of instruments, implants and screws along the pre-planned trajectories under continuous slip detection. The system provides 7 degrees of instrument freedom, leading to improved dexterity and precision. Advanced features like integrated drill speed control and depth detection helps reduce risks. Studies have shown excelsiusGPS can help place pedicle screws in under 5 minutes on average, reducing surgical time and radiation exposure compared to conventional techniques. Its intuitive user interface also helps reduce the learning curve for adopting robotic technologies.
Future Advances - Augmented Reality Imaging and Autonomous Surgical Robots
Research is ongoing to develop new generations of surgical robots with features like augmented reality overlay, faster sensors, more degrees of freedom and even autonomous functions to a limited extent. Some of the areas being explored include:
- Augmented reality systems that overlay the patient's pre-operative images directly onto the surgical field through augmented glasses or smart surgical microscopes. This allows image-guided surgery without the need for additional screens or navigation systems in the operating room.
- Smarter force sensors integrated into robotic arms that can detect tissue properties in real time and provide haptic feedback to surgeons. This will help avoid excessive tissue damage.
- More compact robotic systems with more degrees of freedom for wristed instruments. This will further improve surgical dexterity and allow access to harder to reach regions of the spine.
- Autonomous functions for standardized repetitive tasks like screw or staple insertion. The robot could perform these routine steps autonomously under surgeon supervision for improved accuracy and reduced procedure times.
- Advances in robotics, AI and sensory fusion will continue transforming spine surgery with more flexible, intuitive, accurate and autonomous systems set to enhance minimally invasive procedures. Widespread adoption will depend on demonstrating clear benefits to patients, surgeons and healthcare costs.
robotic technologies are bringing the promise of improved accuracy, flexibility and control for minimally invasive spine surgeries. Further advances will transform surgical training, efficiency and outcomes for patients undergoing complex reconstructive spine procedures in the future. Robotic assistance has the potential to make spine surgeries safer, less invasive and more accessible for patients worldwide.
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