Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2005; 48(3): 154-158
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870908
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Robot-Assisted Craniotomy

G.  Eggers1 , C.  Wirtz2 , W.  Korb1 , D.  Engel3 , O.  Schorr3 , B.  Kotrikova1 , J.  Raczkowsky3 , H.  Wörn3 , J.  Mühling1 , S.  Hassfeld1 , R.  Marmulla1
  • 1Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3Institute for Process Control and Robotics, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 July 2005 (online)

Abstract

In the Special Research Centre 414 of the German Research Funding (DFG, Bonn) a system for robot-assisted cranial surgery was developed. It is designed for the accurate and safe execution of craniotomies and repositioning of bone pieces. The system is intended for use in the surgical therapy of craniosynostosis. Preoperatively, CT imaging is performed. In a computerized planning system the position and shape of the intended craniotomy is intuitively planned on a virtual model of the patient's skull. Intraoperatively, after conventional removal of the covering soft tissue, the robot performs the craniotomy autonomously. Extensive testing in phantom studies and animal tests confirmed the reliability and accuracy of the system. A thorough risk analysis of the system was performed. In this paper, the first clinical use of the system on a patient is described and the clinical importance is discussed.

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Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Georg Eggers

Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery · University of Heidelberg

Im Neuenheimer Feld 400

69120 Heidelberg

Germany ·

Phone: +49-6221-567-332

Fax: +49-6221-564-222

Email: georg.eggers@med.uni-heidelberg.de

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