Robotic surgery
A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine is provided. The method includes utilizing a computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient, such that the computerized tomographic scan image is connected to a computer and visible on a monitor connected to the computer. The method also includes attaching a coupling component to the spinal column of the patient, coupling a marker to the coupling component, and imaging, with a fluoroscope, the view of the spinal column of the patient, wherein the fluoroscope image is transmitted to the computer and visible on the monitor and the at marker is clearly visible in the fluoroscope image. The method also includes positioning a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, drilling a passage through the cannula into bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, inserting a guidewire through the cannula into the passage in the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, and positioning a screw into the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient.
1. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient, comprising:
inserting a flexible surgical mesh into the patient's body through an incision in the patient's body, wherein the flexible surgical mesh is rolled up configuration during insertion into the patient's body through the incision;
positioning the flexible surgical mesh within the patient's body using a robotic mechanism positioned within the patient's body; and
securing the flexible surgical mesh within the patient's body, after said positioning, using the robotic mechanism positioned within the patient's body.
2. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: unrolling the flexible surgical mesh, after said inserting, using the robotic mechanism positioned within the patient's body.
3. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said securing comprises suturing the flexible surgical mesh to the patient's body.
4. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said securing comprises stapling the flexible surgical mesh to the patient's body.
5. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the robotic mechanism includes at least one robotic arm, wherein said positioning and securing are performed using the at least one robotic arm.
6. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the robotic mechanism includes at least one surgical instrument of the at least one robotic arm, wherein the at least one surgical instrument is positioned within the patient's body, wherein said positioning and securing are performed using the at least one surgical instrument.
7. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the at least one surgical instrument is a gripper.
8. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising viewing a live image of the location of the robotic mechanism within the patient's body on a display using an imaging device positioned within the patient's body to facilitate said positioning and securing.
9. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising manipulating a robotic arm interface connected to a computer that is in turn connected to the robotic mechanism to control the robotic mechanism to perform said positioning and securing.
10. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said inserting the flexible surgical mesh comprises inserting the flexible surgical mesh through a cannula positioned in the incision.
11. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: inserting an endoscope into the patient's body through another incision in the patient's body that is different than the incision through which the flexible surgical mesh is inserted.
12. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: viewing a live image of the location of the robotic mechanism within the patient's body on a display using the endoscope inserted within the patient's body to facilitate said positioning and securing.
13. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the robotic mechanism includes at least one robotic instrument, wherein said inserting the flexible surgical mesh into the patient's body is performed using the robotic instrument.
14. A method of performing robotic surgery on a patient as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising: inserting an endoscope into the patient's body through another incision in the patient's body that is different than the incision through which the flexible surgical mesh is inserted.