idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Scientists at Saarland University’s Homburg Campus have developed a pioneering robot-assisted procedure for joint replacement surgery. Their approach removes the need for bone pins and external infrared cameras in procedures such as knee replacement surgery. Led by Professor Stefan Landgraeber, Director of the Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Medical Center, and research associate Philipp Winter, the project seeks to make orthopaedic surgery both safer and less invasive.
Until now, the surgical robots deployed in orthopaedic and trauma surgery have made use of ‘bone pins’—metal pins approximately 3.2 millimetres thick that are anchored directly into the bone. These pins allow the robot to determine the bone’s exact position in the body using an infrared tracking system. However, this method carries risks, including bone fractures and damage to muscles or soft tissue. The new approach eliminates the need for the pins and for the external camera system. Instead, the robot uses its own built-in sensors. By precisely scanning a defined structure, such as a bone or a prosthesis, the robot can determine its spatial position and generate a three-dimensional model of the surgical field. This process is further supported by X-ray images taken in two planes.
‘Our robot can independently scan the surgical field and create an accurate 3D model,’ explains Professor Landgraeber. ‘This enables highly precise navigation and permits the exact placement of screws and drill holes without relying on external reference systems.’ The key innovation lies in the robot’s internal coordinate system, which determines its spatial relationship to the surgical object and replaces the need for infrared tracking. A patent application for the technology has already been filed. The team from ‘Triathlon—Integrated Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer at Saarland University’ supported the patent marketing and commercialization process.
With the introduction of this new method, the researchers are making a major contribution to the advancement of robot-assisted surgery. Increased automation in the medical field has the potential to improve the quality of surgical care and help address the shortage of skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. In particular, the technology could make procedures in joint replacement surgery, which typically require extensive training, both more efficient and safer in the future.
About Triathlon:
Saarland University has been supporting academic start-ups since 1995. In 2023, this wealth of experience was pooled under a single roof with the launch of ‘Triathlon—Integrated Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer’. Triathlon provides a full-service support package for start-up ventures and for technology and knowledge transfer initiatives, helping to turn ideas into viable businesses and real-world solutions. Over the past few decades, the university has supported more than 550 young businesses and the creation of more than 4,000 jobs. On average, the Triathlon team supports around 120 start-up projects each year, around 30 of which are launched as new companies.
www.uds-triathlon.de
Prof. Dr. Stefan Landgraeber
Saarland University Medical Center / Saarland University
Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery
Tel.: +49 6841 16-24500
Email: stefan.landgraeber@uks.eu
Dr. med. Philipp Winter
Tel.: +49 6841 16-24520
Email: philipp.winter@uks.eu
https://www.uni-saarland.de/lehrstuhl/landgraeber
Professor Stefan Landgraeber, Director of the Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery at ...
Quelle: Laura Glücklich
Copyright: UKS
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Wirtschaftsvertreter, Wissenschaftler
Elektrotechnik, Maschinenbau, Medizin
überregional
Forschungs- / Wissenstransfer, Forschungsergebnisse
Englisch
Professor Stefan Landgraeber, Director of the Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery at ...
Quelle: Laura Glücklich
Copyright: UKS
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
