Computer-guided microsurgery: Surgical evaluation of a telerobotic arm

A new telerobotic arm was evaluated in different microsurgical procedures. The system consisted of a robotic arm bearing a microsurgical forceps contr olled by a joystick-like master unit operated by the surgeon's hand. The ro botic arm functioned as an operating as well as assisting instrument. Advan tages of the system were its precise functioning, which was especially impo rtant when tissue or instruments had to be held for a longer period of time , as well as its ability to replace an assisting person to some extent. Def iciencies of the system were its 10-min startup, the spatial conflict with in the operative field, and the poor rotation of the robotic tip. In some p rocedures, the telerobotic arm could replace the standard microsurgical ins trument guided by the surgeon's second hand; in other maneuvers it could fu nction as the surgeon's third hand with precision and void of tremor. (C) 2 001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.