Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In robot-assisted surgery, which was initially developed to overcome the limitations of
MIS, the surgeon uses a computerized control console to manipulate instruments attached
to robot arms. This console translates the surgeons' hand and finger movements, scales
movements, filters tremors and carries out the operation on the patient in real-time. It is
now even possible for specialists to perform remote surgery on patients and for robots to
undertake automated (unmanned) operations.
Some advantages of robotic surgery, under optimal and proven conditions, are its greater
precision, miniaturization, smaller incisions, decreased blood loss, less pain, quicker heal-
ing time, articulation beyond normal manipulation, and three-dimensional magnification,
resulting in improved ergonomics. Robotic techniques are also associated with reduced
hospital confinement, blood loss, transfusions, and use of pain medication.
Nowadays, there are many applications for robotic-assisted surgery, such as general
surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology and electrophysiology, gastrointestinal
surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, radio surgery, urology, and
vascular surgery. Currently, during robotic-assisted surgery, surgeons use magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) to identify softness discontinuities
of tissues preoperatively; however, these imaging techniques do not provide haptic
feedback, which makes it very difficult for surgeons to map precisely any preoperative
images with intraoperative situations. Recent experimental tests have proved that
the presence of direct force feedback significantly reduces the force applied by the
Da Vinci™ robot graspers to the tissue [77].
The disadvantages of robotic-assisted surgery are the high cost of the robot itself, the
disposable supply cost for each procedure and the intensive learning and training period
needed to operate the system.
The ideal goals for the robot industry are to achieve self-maintenance, autonomous
learning, and to avoid any harmful situation to people, property, and the robot itself, as
well as safe interaction with human beings and the environment. In an attempt to achieve
these goals, an ambitious new development is the advent of humanoid robots, which are
recurrently being used as a research tool in several scientific areas. In this field, researchers
are required to understand the human body structure and behavior (biomechanics) in order
to build and test these entities and it is hoped that this attempt to replicate the human
frame, together with all its dynamics, will lead to a better understanding of the human
body. Like other mechanical robots, a humanoid suggests use of basic components, such
as sensing, actuating and planning, and control mechanisms. Since these robots purport to
simulate the structure and behavior of a human, and because they are autonomous systems,
it is inevitable that humanoid robots are more complex than other kinds of robots. The
purpose of their creation is to imitate some of the same physical and mental tasks that
humans undergo daily. Scientists and specialists from many different fields, including
engineering, cognitive science, and linguistics have combined their efforts to create a
robot as human-like as possible. Their ultimate goal is that one day such a robot will
have the same deportment, intelligence, and reasoning capability as a human. With such
an advent, it is evident that these robots could eventually work in cohesion with humans
to create a more productive and brighter future. Another important benefit of developing
humanoids is to obtain a greater understanding of the human body's biological and mental
processes, from the seemingly simple act of walking, to gaining awareness of the concepts
of consciousness and even spirituality.
