With the continuous advancement of technology, medical techniques are also constantly progressing. In orthopedic and laparoscopic surgeries, the application of robotic technology has become a significant trend. So, what are the differences between orthopedic surgical robots and laparoscopic surgical robots?
Orthopedic Surgical Robots
Both orthopedic surgical robots and laparoscopic surgical robots are categorized based on the surgical area they target.
Orthopedic surgical robots assist in orthopedic surgeries, such as joint replacement and spinal surgeries. They offer better imaging of the surgical area, cause less damage to healthy bones, and promote faster recovery.
Laparoscopic surgical robots are used for a wide range of surgeries, including urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, and general surgery. Laparoscopes extend the surgeon’s view inside the patient’s body, while robotic arms mimic the surgeon’s hands to hold and maneuver the laparoscope and surgical instruments.
Additionally, the differences between orthopedic surgical robots and laparoscopic surgical robots are reflected in their distinct clinical applications.
Laparoscopic Surgical Robots
Laparoscopic surgical robots primarily address the issue of surgical precision. The da Vinci Surgical System is a prime example, designed for soft tissue surgeries. Major surgeries, especially those involving soft tissue tumors, require precise operations to avoid damaging nearby vital structures (such as blood vessels, nerve bundles, and lymphatic vessels). Manual operations by surgeons can lack the necessary stability, especially in laparoscopic surgery where long-handled instruments are used, increasing instability due to the long lever effect. To enhance operational stability, the da Vinci surgical robot system was developed. Surgeons remotely control robotic arms to perform surgeries, with the stability of robotic arms being superior to human hands.
Orthopedic Surgical Robots
Orthopedic surgical robots address the problem of individualized surgical differences. These robots are classified as hard tissue robots, whether for spinal, trauma, or joint surgeries. They are designed to utilize preoperative and intraoperative imaging data (X-ray, CT, CBCT, etc.) to plan the optimal surgical path and guide the surgeon along this path using robotic arms. Each patient has individual differences (anatomical variations and condition differences), so the optimal path often varies for each patient. Traditionally, orthopedic surgeons rely on their experience and standard anatomical landmarks to perform surgeries, which can sometimes be inaccurate or incorrect. Orthopedic surgical robots help to avoid these errors by using computer software to simulate the surgery, find the optimal surgical target for the patient, and improve the accuracy of the surgery.
Perlove Medical Orthopedic Surgical Robot
Take the Perlove Medical Orthopedic Surgical Robot PL300B, for example. It is a spinal surgery navigation and positioning system that, when used with the 3D C-arm PLX7500, enables intraoperative 3D imaging and precise positioning. This system standardizes complex surgeries, minimizes invasiveness in routine surgeries, and automates critical operations, significantly improving the outcomes of orthopedic surgeries and shortening the learning curve for doctors.
