Analyse du besoin en assistance robotique dans la chirurgie de l'oreille

Otologic surgery has some specificities compared to others surgeries. The anatomic working space is small, with various anatomical structures to preserve, like ossicles or facial nerve. This requires the use of microscope or endoscope. The microscope let the surgeon use both hands, but allows only direct vision. The endoscope leaves only one hand to the surgeon to use his tools, but provides a "fish-eye" vision. The rise of endoscopy these past few years has led to the development of numerous devices for the surgeon: the Robotol, first otological robot designed to performed some movements and hold an endoscope, or the Endofix Exo. Both devices need the hand of the surgeon to be moved. No robotic device allows the endoscope to be directed autonomously while the surgeon keeps both hands free to work, just like when he is working with a microscope. The objective of our work is to define the specific needs of the otological assistance surgery.

Etat de l'art des systèmes robotisés en vue d'une application pour la chirurgie otologique

This article deals with a patents state-of-the-art linked to our robotic system which holds an endoscope. In a first part, we analyze how the endoscope operates as well as we discover the environment where we wish to use it: the middle ear. In a second step, we establish a state-of-the-art on patents existing in the robotic and surgical fields. The approach is based on a specific search methodology using keywords and classifications. Thanks to all the patents found, we gather them according their country and date of publication, and we are able to analyze the results. This study brings to light technical solutions invented in recent years and allows us to find an innovative research axis.