SnakeBots

In arthroscopic procedures of the knees or hips, surgeons use rigid instruments in a “one size fits all” approach that does not take into account that these joints are unique to each patient.  To address this, engineers at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision have a customized method: “a computer is used to simulate how various so-called “SnakeBots” can move through the digital 3D maze. These generate trajectories that can be scored and the best candidates chosen from a very large selection of these modular robots. Once the best is selected, it can be quickly created ahead of the procedure using a 3D printer. The SnakeBots are manipulated using the Raven 2 surgical robotic platform developed at the University of Washington and University of California, Santa Cruz.” MORE

Image Credit:  Australian Centre for Robotic Vision

Key words: knees, hips, arthroscopic surgery, robotics, surgical robots, MRI imaging, 3D printing, “SnakeBots,” Australian Centre for Robotic Vision