Surgical robotics archives - vol.10

Flashback on the Minerva system from 1995:

"The Group for Surgical Robotics and Instrumen- tation has developed a robot dedicated to stereo- tactic  brain  surgery. The first operations on patients were performed in September, 1993; two aspirations of cystic intracerebral lesions. The ro- bot's specifications were defined in collaboration with neurosurgeons; the goal was to eliminate the shortcomings observed with manual operations.

We describe the development and approach to clinical application of the neurosurgical robot Minerva, including the mechanical structure of the robot and the software developed to perform intracranial neurosurgical operations with accuracy, smoothness, and safety. The first eight operations have been undertaken on patients requiring stereotactic brain biopsy. We describe the ongoing developments, including improved sterilization features, force sensors, nonlinear electro- stimulation probe, and implantation of living encapsulated  cells, all of which have entered a test phase. The goals are increased safety and capability to perform simple three-dimensional operations. This research should ease the way for new complex operations that are difficult to perform manually today."

Source: Glauser et al. "Neurosurgical Robot Minerva: First Results and Current Developments", J. Image Guid Surg 1:266-272  (1995)


Read more about the early days of surgical robotics: Archives here and here and here