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Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Remote Surgery with Augmented Reality and Robotics for Enhanced Precision and Accessibility
Published on: August 9, 2024
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Streamlining microsurgical procedures: a phantom trial of an artificial intelligence-driven robotic microscope
Michael Murek1, Markus Philipp2,3, Marielena Gutt-Will1
11Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Neurosurgical Focus
|July 1, 2025
Summary
This study introduces an AI-powered robotic system that automatically adjusts surgical microscopes, significantly reducing surgeon task load and improving workflow efficiency. The system ensures a consistently centered view, enhancing microsurgical performance and allowing surgeons to focus more on the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Robotic Surgery
- Medical Artificial Intelligence
Background:
- Microsurgery relies on surgical microscopes for critical visualization.
- Manual microscope adjustments (handgrip, mouth switch) disrupt workflow and increase surgeon cognitive load.
- Maintaining a centered view is crucial for surgical precision and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel AI-driven robotic assistance system for automated microscope adjustments in microsurgery.
- To compare the system's performance against traditional manual microscope controls (handgrip, mouth switch).
- To assess the impact on surgeon task load, workflow efficiency, and visual field centering.
Main Methods:
- A preclinical user study involving 19 neurosurgeons.
- Comparison of the robotic system with handgrip and mouth switch controls during a phantom anastomosis task.
- Assessment of task load using the NASA Task Load Index questionnaire.
- Analysis of suturing time, interruption frequency, and heat maps of instrument tip activity.
Main Results:
- The robotic system significantly reduced physical and mental task load compared to manual controls.
- Effective suturing time increased by ~10%, and interruptions decreased.
- The AI system consistently maintained a more centered microscope view, confirmed by heat map analysis.
- Faster reaction times for microscope readjustments were observed with robotic assistance.
Conclusions:
- AI-assisted robotic microscope adjustments enhance microsurgical efficiency and reduce surgeon task load.
- Automating microscope control minimizes distractions and task switching, optimizing the surgical workflow.
- Future research should focus on clinical validation in live surgical procedures.
