Paper Info
Title
ValveTech: A Novel Robotic Approach for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
Abstract
<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Objective:</i> Aortic valve disease is the most common heart disease in the elderly calling for replacement with an artificial valve. The presented surgical robot aims to provide a highly controllable instrument for efficient delivery of an artificial valve by the help of integrated endoscopic vision. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Methods:</i> A robot (called ValveTech), intended for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and consisting of a flexible cable driven manipulator, a passive arm, and a control unit has been designed and prototyped. The flexible manipulator has several features (e.g., stabilizing flaps, tiny cameras, dexterous introducer and custom cartridge) to help the proper valve placement. It provides 5 degrees of freedom for reaching the operative site via mini-thoracotomy; it adjusts the valve and expands it at the optimal position. The robot was evaluated by ten cardiac surgeons following a real surgical scenario in artificial chest simulator with an aortic mockup. Moreover, after each delivery, the expanded valve was evaluated objectively in comparison with the ideal position. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Results:</i> The robot performances were evaluated positively by surgeons. The trials resulted in faster delivery and an average misalignment distance of 3.8 mm along the aorta axis; 16.3 degrees rotational angle around aorta axis and 8.8 degrees misalignment of the valve commissure plane to the ideal plane were measured. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Conclusion:</i> The trials successfully proved the proposed system for valve delivery under endoscopic vision. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Significance:</i> The ValveTech robot can be an alternative solution for minimally invasive aortic valve surgery and improve the quality of the operation both for surgeons and patients.
Year
DOI
Venue
2021
10.1109/TBME.2020.3024184
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering
Keywords
DocType
Volume
Aged,Aortic Valve,Heart Valve Prosthesis,Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation,Humans,Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures,Robotic Surgical Procedures,Robotics,Treatment Outcome
Journal
68
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
4
0018-9294
1
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.36
0
8
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Izadyar Tamadon110.36
Virginia Mamone241.08
Huan Yu34613.63
Sara Condino4157.22
Claudio Quaglia510.36
Vincenzo Ferrari65012.66
Mauro Ferrari7176.13
Arianna Menciassi8768138.57