4. Phecda is the world’s first robot-assisted upper cervical vertebrae surgery
Chinese surgeons implanted a screw to support a neck bone with the help of a robot in what they’re touting as the world’s first upper cervical vertebrae robot-assisted surgery.
The Beijing Tinavi Medical Technology robot, named Phecda, was used to assist the surgeon at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Phecda is a surgical robot that has a 3D high-definition visual system that identifies internal orthopedic structures and has an arm that guides medical tools within 0.8 mm of the needed area.
The Phecda works in a four-step plan. First, the surgeon has to take 3D images of the spine that are synchronized with the Phecda. The surgeon has to create a surgical plan that has screw selection and drill trajectory simulation. After that, the Phecda is able to guide the surgeon to the planned surgical location and uses the robotic arm for a stable implantation of the screw. The surgeon makes the incision on the patient and can then insert the implants with the Phecda’s guidance.
Read about the vertebrae surgical robot.