Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The history of robotics in urology

  • Topic Paper
  • Published:
World Journal of Urology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite being an ancient surgical specialty, modern urology is technology driven and has been quick to take up new minimally invasive surgical challenges. It is therefore no surprise that much of the early work in the development of surgical robotics was pioneered by urologists. We look at the relatively short history of robotic urology, from the origins of robotics and robotic surgery itself to the rapidly expanding experience with the master–slave devices. This article credits the vision of John Wickham who sowed the seeds of robotic surgery in urology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Malone R (1978) The robot book. Push Pin Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shah J, Mackay S, Rockall T, Vale J, Darzi A (2001) ‘Urobotics’: robots in urology. BJU Int 88(4):313–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Clarke R (1993) Asimov’s laws for robotics: implications for information technology. IEEE Computer 1993; January, pp 313–320. Part 1–2 December, pp 53–61

  4. Lipson H, Pollack JB (2000) Automatic design and manufacture of robotic lifeforms. Nature 406(6799):974–978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ellison LM, Pinto PA, Kim F, Ong AM, Patriciu A, Stoianovici D, Rubin H, Jarrett T, Kavoussi LR (2004) Telerounding and patient satisfaction after surgery. J Am Coll Surg 199(4):523–530

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Busnel M, Cammoun R, Coulon-Lauture F, Detriche JM, Le Claire G, Lesigne B (1999) The robotized workstation “MASTER” for users with tetraplegia: description and evaluation. J Rehabil Res Dev 36(3):217–229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Buckingham RA, Buckingham RO (1995) Robots in operating theatres. BMJ 311(7018):1479–1482

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Drake JM, Joy M, Goldenberg A, Kreindler D (1991) Computer- and robot-assisted resection of thalamic astrocytomas in children. Neurosurgery 29(1):27–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Glauser D, Fankhauser H, Epitaux M, Hefti JL, Jaccottet A (1995) Neurosurgical robot Minerva: first results and current developments. J Image Guid Surg 1(5):266–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cain P, Kazanzides P, Zuhars J, Mittelstadt B, Paul H (1993) Safety considerations in a surgical robot. Biomed Sci Instrum 29:291–294

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bargar WL, Bauer A, Börner M (1998) Primary and revision total hip replacement using the RoboDoc system. Clin Orthop 354:82–91

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Davies BL, Harris SJ, Lin WJ, Hibberd RD, Middleton R, Cobb JC (1997) Active compliance in robotic surgery—the use of force control as a dynamic constraint. Proc Inst Mech Eng [H] 211(4):285–292

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Davies BL, Hibberd RD, Coptcoat MJ, Wickham JE (1989) A surgeon robot prostatectomy—a laboratory evaluation. J Med Eng Technol 13:273–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Harris SJ, Arambula-Cosio F, Mei Q, Nathan MS, Hibberd RD, Wickham JEA (1997) The Probot—an active robot for prostate resection. Proc Inst Mech Eng [H] 211:317–325

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ison KT, Coptcoat MJ, Timoney A et al (1989) The development and application of a neo surgical device—the endoscopic liquidizer and surgical aspirator. J Med Technol 13:285–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nathan MS, Davies BL, Hibberd B, Wickham JEA (1994) Devices for automated resection of the prostate. In: Proceedings of the first international symposium on medical robotics and computer assisted surgery Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pp 342–344

  17. Nathan MS, Harris SJ, Davies B, Hibberd R, Buckley J, Wickham JEA (1996) Robotic transurethral electrovaporisation of the prostate. Br J Urol 77(S1):32A

    Google Scholar 

  18. Rovetta A, Sala R, Cosmi F, Wen X, Sabbadini D, Milanesi S, Togno A, Angelini L, Bejczy A (1993) Telerobotic surgery in a transatlantic experiment: application in laparoscopy. In: Proceedings of telemanipulator technology and space telerobotics, Boston

  19. Challacombe BJ, Kavoussi LR, Dasgupta P (2003) Trans-oceanic telerobotic surgery. BJU Int 92(7):678–680

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kavoussi LR, Moore RG, Adams JB et al (1995) Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic camera control. J Urol 154:2134–2136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Guillonneau B (2003) What robotics in urology? A current point of view. Eur Urol 43:103–105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Himpens J, Leman G, Cadiere GB (1998) Telesurgical laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surg Endosc 12(8):1091

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bowersox JC, Cornum RL (1998) Remote operative urology using a surgical telemanipulator system: preliminary observations. Urology 52:17–22

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Sung GT, Gill IS (2001) Robotic laparoscopic surgery: a comparison of the da Vinci and Zeus systems. J Urol 58:893–898

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Marescaux J, Leroy J, Gagner M et al (2001) Transatlantic robot-assisted telesurgery. Nature 413:379–380

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tewari A, Srivasatava A, Menon M (2003) Members of the VIP Team. A prospective comparison of radical retropubic and robot-assisted prostatectomy: experience in one institution. BJU Int 92(3):205–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Beecken WD, Wolfram M, Engl T et al (2003) Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy and intra-abdominal formation of an orthotopic ileal neobladder. Eur Urol 44:337–339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Menon M, Hemal AK, Tewari A et al (2003) Nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical cystoprostatectomy and urinary diversion. BJU Int 92:232–236

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Dasgupta P, Hemal A, Rose K (2005) Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Robotics Group. Robotic urology in the UK: establishing a programme and emerging role. BJU Int 95(6):723–724

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Charity, British Urological Foundation and Friends of Guy’s for their project grants to support robotic and telerobotic urology at Guy’s. The Robotic Steering Group for its evaluation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Guy’s Hospital, 1st Floor Thomas Guy House, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ School of Medicine, SE1 9RT, London, UK

    Ben J. Challacombe, Mohammad Shamim Khan, Declan Murphy & Prokar Dasgupta

Authors
  1. Ben J. Challacombe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Shamim Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Declan Murphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Prokar Dasgupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prokar Dasgupta.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Challacombe, B.J., Khan, M.S., Murphy, D. et al. The history of robotics in urology. World J Urol 24, 120–127 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-006-0067-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-006-0067-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation