The international journal of medical robotics + computer assisted surgery : MRCAS
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Image-guided navigation (IGN) represents a first step in the automation of surgical functions. The use of IGN can involve several human factors issues that must be taken into account when evaluating their impact on surgical performance and patient safety. ⋯ IGN is evaluated as a helpful tool for surgeons. However, special care should be taken to provide surgeons with sufficient time and training during familiarization with an IGN system.
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Clinical Trial
Automatic detection of supporting device positioning in intensive care unit radiography.
This paper presents a computer-aided method for automatic detection of the positioning of endotracheal, feeding and nasogastric tubes, and the identification of tube types in radiography for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Application of this method may allow clinicians to detect the tube tips more easily and accurately, and thus improve the quality of patient care in the ICU. ⋯ The novel detection technique can accurately detect the tubes in ICU chest radiographs at a high sensitivity level with an acceptable false positive rate.
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The great accuracy of computer-assisted operative systems for pedicle screw insertion makes them highly desirable for spinal surgeries. However, computer-assisted pedicle screw placement is expensive, and the learning curve for these techniques is significant. We have developed a novel method of spinal pedicle stereotaxy by reverse engineering (RE) and rapid prototyping (RP) and have validated the method's accuracy by cadaveric and clinical study. ⋯ The authors have developed a novel computer-assisted drill template for lumbar pedicle screw placement. This method has shown its ability to customize the placement and size of each screw, based on the unique morphology of the lumbar vertebra. The potential use of drill templates to place lumbar pedicle screws is promising.
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We introduce the first robotic ultrasound-guided prostate intervention device and evaluate its safety, accuracy and repeatability. ⋯ Our device demonstrates safety in a defined boundary with a repeatable accuracy of < 1 mm. It can be used for accurate prostate biopsy and treatment delivery.
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Coronary artery disease is a global health concern, with increasing morbidity and mortality. Surgical coronary artery bypass grafting has been performed on cardiopulmonary bypass for nearly four decades, with excellent long-term durability. Beating-heart coronary surgery has been increasing in frequency in an attempt to decrease cardiopulmonary bypass-related morbidity. ⋯ Several clinical trials have demonstrated decreased morbidity and more rapid recovery following off-pump, minimally invasive and robotic procedures when compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs). An equivalent extent of revascularization and medium-term anastomotic patency has been demonstrated among all approaches. Furthermore, for a large number of patients who do not have anatomy amenable to traditional coronary revascularization, adjunctive molecular therapies may provide alternative myocardial micro-revascularization.