Robotic guided techniques in cardiovascular surgery

The rigid design of conventional endoscopic instruments with limited degree s of freedom has not allowed fur endoscopic cardiac surgery. Using a surgic al telemanipulation system that is operated from a master console, endoscop ic coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair can be performed with high precision. Closed-chest cardiopulmonary bypass systems that allo w cardioplegic cardiac arrest are required. After extensive experimental te sting a telemanipulation system was used clinically.