Robotik: automatisierte Verfahren in der Gefäßmedizin

Medical robotics have solved a variety of technical and mathematical problems to enable the use of robots in routine clinical practice. Compared to industrial robotics the technical and regulatory challenges are more demanding and are increasing further as a part of the amendments to the Medical Devices Act. Medical challenges include increased accuracy requirements, the need for automatic image processing and the increasing use of machine learning techniques and artificial intelligence. In vascular medicine robotic systems are already being tested in laparoscopic and endovascular vascular surgery. In case series the technical feasibility has been proven and individual parameters point to the benefits of these medical technological developments. The benefits will continue to increase as further medical developments in the field of robotics, such as the combination with imaging techniques (augmented reality) or machine learning are introduced in the coming years; however, for a general clinical approach to the topic of robotics no valid studies are currently available. Automated ultrasound diagnostics could possibly provide a good way to carry out robotic developments in the clinical breadth, as benefits in routine clinical practice can be expected from a time-economic point of view depending on patient acceptance. Newer endovascular robotic-assisted procedures also promise support for highly specialized procedures with reduced radiation exposure of patients and surgeons. Their use should be recorded in controlled multicenter studies with respect to patient benefits.