Urology robotics
Encyclopedia
Urology Robotics, or URobotics, is a new interdisciplinary field for the application of robots in urology and for the development of such systems and novel technologies in this clinical discipline. Urology
is among the medical fields with the highest rate of technology advances, which for several years has included the use medical robots.
system. Even though this was designed to assist in general Laparoscopy
, most of its application are in the urology field for radical prostatectomy
. Pioneered at the Vattikuti Urology Institute
, robotic radical prostatectomy has now become the gold standard for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Other, URobotic systems are under development. These include image-guided robots that, in addition to the direct visual feedback, use medical images for guiding the intervention. Since MRI provides enhanced visualization of soft-tissues compared to x-ray
-based imaging, MRI compatible robots
are being developed to assist the physician in performing the intervention in the MRI scanner. If prostate cancer lesions can be delineated in the image, robots can accurately target those lesions for biopsy
or focal ablations.
Urology
Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
is among the medical fields with the highest rate of technology advances, which for several years has included the use medical robots.
Applications
The first surgical robot approved by the FDA is the da VinciDa Vinci Surgical System
The Da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system made by Intuitive Surgical and designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach...
system. Even though this was designed to assist in general Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions with the aid of a camera...
, most of its application are in the urology field for radical prostatectomy
Prostatectomy
A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Abnormalities of the prostate, such as a tumour, or if the gland itself becomes enlarged for any reason, can restrict the normal flow of urine along the urethra....
. Pioneered at the Vattikuti Urology Institute
Vattikuti Urology Institute
The Vattikuti Urology Institute at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan is a clinical and research center for urological care. The VUI is notable for being the first institute to establish robotic surgery as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer. To date, the VUI has performed more...
, robotic radical prostatectomy has now become the gold standard for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Other, URobotic systems are under development. These include image-guided robots that, in addition to the direct visual feedback, use medical images for guiding the intervention. Since MRI provides enhanced visualization of soft-tissues compared to x-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
-based imaging, MRI compatible robots
MRI Robot
An MRI robot is a medical robot capable of operating within a magnetic resonance imaging scanner for the purpose of performing or assisting in image-guided interventions ....
are being developed to assist the physician in performing the intervention in the MRI scanner. If prostate cancer lesions can be delineated in the image, robots can accurately target those lesions for biopsy
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...
or focal ablations.