Robotic Technology in Operating Rooms: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the rapid growth and development of robotic technology, its implementation in medical fields has also been significantly increasing, with the transition from the period of mainly using surgical robots to the era with combinations of multiple types of robots. Therefore, this paper introduces the newest robotic systems and technology applied in operating rooms as well as their architectures for integration. RECENT FINDINGS: Besides surgical robots, other types of robotic devices and machines such as diagnostic and treatment devices with robotic operating tables, robotic microscopes, and assistant robots for surgeons emerge one after another, improving the quality of surgery from different aspects. With the increasing number and type of robots, their integration platforms are also proposed and being spread. SUMMARY: This review paper presents state-of-the-art robot-related technology in the operating room. Robotic platforms and robot components which appeared in the last decade are described. In addition, system architectures for the integration of robots as well as other devices in operating rooms are also introduced and compared.