Analyse du besoin en assistance robotique dans la chirurgie de l'oreille
This work targets otologic surgeons by identifying requirements for robotic assistance to improve surgical efficiency, but it is incremental as it focuses on needs analysis rather than a new solution.
The paper addresses the lack of autonomous robotic assistance in otologic surgery, where current devices require manual control, and aims to define specific needs for developing a system that allows surgeons to work with both hands free while using an endoscope.
Otologic surgery has some specificities compared to others surgeries. The anatomic working space is small, with various anatomical structures to preserve, like ossicles or facial nerve. This requires the use of microscope or endoscope. The microscope let the surgeon use both hands, but allows only direct vision. The endoscope leaves only one hand to the surgeon to use his tools, but provides a "fish-eye" vision. The rise of endoscopy these past few years has led to the development of numerous devices for the surgeon: the Robotol, first otological robot designed to performed some movements and hold an endoscope, or the Endofix Exo. Both devices need the hand of the surgeon to be moved. No robotic device allows the endoscope to be directed autonomously while the surgeon keeps both hands free to work, just like when he is working with a microscope. The objective of our work is to define the specific needs of the otological assistance surgery.