An Integrated Approach to Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery in Orthopaedics

Abstract

There is great potential for medical robotics to have a positive impact upon surgical techniques, panicularly in orthopaedics. Joint replacement procedures occur frequently, are very expensive, and depend upon the accuracy and precision of surgical cuts to insure a successful clinical outcome. Robotic systems are emerging to address this need; however, there are still key components that are missing to insure the clinical utility of surgical robots in orthopaedics. The paper describes a more integrated approach to this task that includes: 1) biomechanics-based preoperative planning, 2) less traumatic surgical robotics techniques, and 3) standardized postoperative clinical tracking. The authors argue that such a system will improve current medical robotic systems and provide the long term feedback necessary to evaluate the clinical consequences of these systems. The paper concludes by outlining the ongoing work on this project, with an emphasis on biomechanics.