Robot may help beating heart ops
Friday December 11th, 2009
A new computer system may enable surgeons to operate on the beating heart, it was claimed today.
Researchers say they have developed technology which can accurately predict the movement of the heart.
This
could enable surgeons to operate, using robotic devices, as if the heart
was still, according to the International Journal of Robotics Research.
The software has been developed in the Montpellier Laboratory of Informatics, Robotics, and Microelectronics, France by Rogério Richa, Philippe Poignet and Chao Liu.
A spokesman for the journal said: "Over the last ten years, robotic arms have become essential in many kinds of surgical procedures, including microsurgery and operations that require extremely delicate movements.
"However, these machines also prevent the surgeons from using their sense of touch and coordination to adjust for rapidly changing environments.
"This new computer-generated model makes it possible for the surgeon to focus on suturing or cutting without having to adjust for the moving surface."
The spokesman explained: "The robotic technology predicts the movement of the heart as it beats, enabling the surgical tools to move in concert with each beat. It means that the surgeon can perform a procedure as if the heart was stationary.
"This development could be very important for millions of patients who require less invasive surgical heart procedures, where stopping the heart from beating would cause unnecessary risk."
Tags: Europe | Heart Health
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