Howard Larkin
Published: Monday, October 14, 2019
Jean-Pierre Hubschman MD speaking at AAO 2019 in San Francisco, California.
A fully automated robotic cataract surgery platform that extracts the nucleus and cortical materials has been successfully tested in pig eyes and could enter human trials in three to four years, Jean-Pierre Hubschman MD told AAO 2019 in San Francisco, USA.
The device uses a complete preoperative OCT scan to construct a model of the eye and plan surgery. During surgery, partial OCT scans are used to monitor where the automated instrument is in the eye, and direct it to lens and cortical material remaining in the capsule. A surgeon monitors the operation and can over-ride the device if necessary, said Dr Hubschman, of the Stein Eye Institute and Advanced Robotic Eye Surgery Lab at the University of California—Los Angeles.
Potential advantages of automated surgery include more complete nucleus and cortex removal and reduced risk of capsule rupture by providing better visualisation, as well as eliminating physiological tremor in surgeons’ hands, and providing tactile feedback in semi-automated systems, Dr Hubschman said.
He hopes to automate capsule polishing and IOL alignment soon. Semi- and fully automated devices for vitreoretinal surgery are also in the works.
Tags: robotic surgery, AAO 2019
Latest Articles
Organising for Success
Professional and personal goals drive practice ownership and operational choices.
Read more...
Is Frugal Innovation Possible in Ophthalmology?
Improving access through financially and environmentally sustainable innovation.
Read more...
iNovation Innovators Den Boosts Eye Care Pioneers
New ideas and industry, colleague, and funding contacts among the benefits.
Read more...
From Concept to Clinic
Partnerships with academia and industry promote innovation.
Read more...
José Güell: Trends in Cornea Treatment
Endothelial damage, cellular treatments, human tissue, and infections are key concerns on the horizon.
Read more...
Making IOLs a More Personal Choice
Surgeons may prefer some IOLs for their patients, but what about for themselves?
Read more...
Need to Know: Higher-Order Aberrations and Polynomials
This first instalment in a tutorial series will discuss more on the measurement and clinical implications of HOAs.
Read more...
Never Go In Blind
Novel ophthalmic block simulator promises higher rates of confidence and competence in trainees.
Read more...
Simulators Benefit Surgeons and Patients
Helping young surgeons build confidence and expertise.
Read more...