Article
Hybrid robot-assisted endoscopic skull base surgery: description of a new pre-prototype
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Authors
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Francesco Doglietto
- ,Divisions of Neurosurgery, University of Brescia
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Andrea Bolzoni Villaret
- ENT Surgery, University of Brescia
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Alberto Schreiber
- ENT Surgery, University of Brescia
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Riccardo Cassinis
- Robotics Engineering Unit, University of Brescia
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Piero Nicolai
- ENT Surgery, University of Brescia
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Marco Maria Fontanella
- ,Divisions of Neurosurgery, University of Brescia
| Published: | June 2, 2015 |
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Outline
Text
Objective: The application of robotics to endoscopic skull base surgery would allow its further development. A robotic endoscopic-holder controlled by the surgeon himself with tele-manipulation/voice-control/co-manipulation systems would enhance the team-work and allow delicate manipulation of intracranial structures. Nowadays, the Da Vinci Robotic System provides adequate endoscopic access to the skull base, but it is extremely invasive for patients, requiring a bilateral sublabial approach other than prohibitive costs and dimensions. For this reasons the Units of Neurosurgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Robotics Engineering, and Software Engineering of the University of Brescia are working together on a dedicated robotic holder prototype with the intent of developing hybrid robot-assisted endoscopic skull-base surgery.
Method: An industrial robot was initially used to study the feasibility of a robotic endoscopic holder, which could be moved either with a joystick or with head movements. The second stage has entailed the use of a force-trasmitter to allow for delicate and safe maneuvering of the endoscope by the robot.
Results: The pre-prototype has been applied in phantoms simulating different surgical steps, with satisfactory initial results.
Conclusions: The development of hybrid robot-assisted endoscopic skull base surgery seems feasible in the near future and cost-effective.
