Robotics in cardiac surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The current status of surgical telemanipulators in the field of cardiac surgery is best described as a device in search of applications, as its role has not been clearly defined. METHODS/RESULTS: Basic robotic technological research and development needs to focus on two key areas: (a) developing methods for modeling patient and surgical procedures with the ability to employ that customized information in the successful completion of a minimally invasive operation; and (b) developing novel human machine interactions that can overcome the barriers we currently face in performing surgical tasks using telemanipulators. CONCLUSION: Significant breakthroughs in these areas will then facilitate the construction and employment of enabling robotic systems, each with its specific clinical application.