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Este trabalho apresenta um levantamento abrangente de 32 projetos de pesquisa financiados pela UE, iniciados após 2015, focando no papel da robótica e da IA no cuidado a idosos. Os projetos são classificados em áreas-chave de aplicação, como robótica social, robótica emsaúde, melhoria da mobilidade e assistência física nas tarefas diárias. Além disso, as áreas de foco da pesquisa, incluindo personalização, monitoramento de saúde, suporte para comprometimento cognitivo e considerações éticas, são avaliadas. Ao desenvolver uma taxonomia com base nesses critérios, este artigo destaca os esforços em curso para integrar robótica e IA no cuidado a idosos, oferecendo insights valiosos sobre o futuro das tecnologias assistivas na abordagem dos desafios de uma população em envelhecimento. A abordagem unificada da UE em pesquisa e seu papel proativo no financiamento de iniciativas em larga escala fazem dela um estudo de caso ideal para examinar o potencial da robótica e da IA na melhoria da qualidade do cuidado aos idosos.(AU)

This paper provides a comprehensive survey of 32 EU-funded research projects initiated after 2015, focusing on the role of robotics and AI in the care of older adults. The projects are classified into key application areas such as social robotics, healthcare robotics, mobility improvement, and physical assistance with daily living tasks. In addition, the research focus areas, including personalization, health monitoring, cognitive impairment support, and ethical considerations, are evaluated. By developing a taxonomy based on these criteria, this paper highlights the ongoing efforts to integrate robotics and AI into elder care, offering valuable insights into the future of assistive technologies in addressing the challenges of an aging population. The EU's unified approach to research and its proactive role in funding large-scale initiatives make it an ideal case study for examining the potential of robotics and AI in improving the quality of care for older adults.(AU)

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Robôs sociais têm se destacado como tecnologia de ponta no cuidado de idosos, com aplicações que incluem treinamento cognitivo. Contudo, a capacidade interativa desses robôs ainda apresenta limitações, representando um desafio computacional para aprimorar sua funcionalidade em aplicações mais específicas. Objetivo: Desenvolver aplicativos para um robô social que estimulem o engajamento de idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs) em atividades de treino cognitivo, e avaliar a satisfação dos usuários. Método: O robô social Robios foiutilizado, com a linguagem de programação Java. A equipe adotou uma abordagem inspirada em métodos ágeis de desenvolvimento de software. Idosos com comprometimento cognitivo ou diagnóstico de demência, residentes em uma ILPI, utilizaram os aplicativos e avaliaram sua satisfação, apresentada por meio de uma análise descritiva contendo notas mínima, média e máxima. Resultados: Quatro aplicativos de jogos foram desenvolvidos: adivinhação, completar a música, memória e quiz sobre música. O jogo da memória foi o mais bem avaliado, enquanto o jogo de adivinhação e o quiz sobre música foram os menos bem avaliados. Conclusão: Os resultados sobre a satisfação dos residentes em ILPIs com os aplicativos desenvolvidos indicam boa aceitação e interesse dessa população em inovações dessa natureza.(AU)

Social robots have emerged as cutting-edge technology in elderly care, with applications that include cognitive training. However, the interactive capacity of these robots still presents limitations, posing a computational challenge for improving their functionality in specific applications. Objective: We aimed to develop applications for a social robot that stimulates the engagement of elderly people living in Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs) in cognitive training, and to evaluate user satisfaction with the developed applications. Method: The social robot Robios was used in the study, with Java as the chosen programming language. The team adopted an approach inspired by agile software development methods. Elderly people with cognitive impairment or dementia, living in an LTCF, used the applications and evaluated their satisfaction, presented through descriptive analysis of minimum, average, and maximum scores. Results: Four game applications were developed for the robot: a guessing game, a song completion game, a memory game, and a music quiz. The memory game received the highest evaluation, while the guessing game and the music quiz were rated the lowest. Conclusion: The results on LTCF residents' satisfaction with the social robot's applications indicate good acceptance and interest in innovations of this nature.(AU)

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O envelhecimento populacional global apresenta um desafio crescente para os sistemas de saúde, especialmente no manejo de doenças neurodegenerativas, como o Alzheimer. As Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs) têm adotado tecnologias inovadoras para melhorar a qualidade de vida de seus residentes. Este estudo de caso explora a percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre o uso de um Gato Robótico no cuidado de uma mulher idosa com demência. Os resultados indicam que os principais temas emergentes nos relatos foram: uso da Tecnologia Assistiva (pet robótico), Humor e Comportamento, Estimulação Motora, Estimulação Sensorial e Interação Social. De acordo com a percepção dos entrevistados, o gato robótico contribui para a redução da agitação, melhorada interação e aumento do engajamento da pessoa idosa em atividades terapêuticas. No entanto, as respostas variaram significativamente, sugerindo a necessidade de personalização da interação. Este estudo destaca a importância da formação contínua dos profissionais para a integração eficaz dessas tecnologias no cuidado de pessoas idosas.(AU)

Global population aging presents an increasing challenge to healthcare systems, especially in the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Long-TermCare Institutions (LTCIs) have been adopting innovative technologies to improve the quality of life of their residents. This case study explores the perception of two healthcare professionals regarding the use of a Robotic Cat in the care of an elderly woman with dementia. The results indicate that the main themes emerging from the reports were: use of Assistive Technology (robotic pet), Mood and Behavior, Motor Stimulation, Sensory Stimulation, and Social Interaction. According to the perception of the interviewees, the robotic cat contributes to reducing agitation, improving interaction, and increasing the elderly woman's engagement in therapeutic activities. However, the responses varied significantly, suggesting the need for personalized interaction. This study highlights the importance of continuous professional training for the effective integration of these technologies into the care of elderlypeople.(AU)

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Pessoas institucionalizadas, especialmente as que apresentam processos demenciais, geralmente têm pouco envolvimento em atividades sociais e lazer. A robótica socialmente assistiva pode atuar na minimização do isolamento social nessa população.Objetivos:Relatar uma experiência inovadora de utilização de um robô socialmente assistivo parafacilitaraatividade de Bingo entre idosos com declínio cognitivoou demência de umaInstituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI).Métodos: Foram incluídas pessoas idosas residentes da ILPI com 60 anos ou mais que possuíam indicativo prévio de declínio cognitivo ou demência. Foram excluídos aqueles que possuíam dificuldade auditiva e visual muito severa, os analfabetos e os que pontuaram menosque 13 pontos no Mini Exame do Estado Mental, pois esses não possuíam habilidades físicasou cognitivas para interagir com o robô. Uma análise descritiva foi realizada, assim como observação do engajamento pelos monitores.Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 12 residentes da ILPI (x̅81,6anos). Os resultados demonstram boa aceitação e engajamento das pessoas idosas com tecnologia robótica como facilitadorada atividade de Bingo na ILPI. Conclusão: Apesar de ser uma área nova, o campo de estudos dos robôs e a Gerontecnologia em ILPI tem apresentado resultados positivos para os residentes.(AU)

Institutionalized individuals, especially those with dementia, often have limited participation in social activities and leisure. Socially assistive robotics can help alleviate social isolation in this population. Objectives: To report an innovative experience of using a socially assistive robot to facilitatetheBingo activities amongelderly individuals with cognitive decline/dementia in a Long-term Care Facilities. (LTCF). Methods: Elderly individuals living in the LTCF aged 60 years or older who had previous indications of cognitive decline and/or dementia were included. Individuals with very severe hearing and visual impairments, illiterate individuals, and individuals who scored less than 13 points on the Mini Mental State Examination were excluded, as they did not have the physicalor cognitive skills to interact with the robot. A descriptive analysis was performed, and engagement of the residents was observed. Results: The sample consisted of 12 LTCF residents (x̅81.6years). The results demonstrate good acceptance and engagement of elderly people with robotic technology, facilitating the Bingo activity in the LTCF. Conclusion: Despite being a new area, the field of studies of robots and Gerontechnology in LTCF has shown positive results for residents.(AU)

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Objectives: To explore aspects of health and well-being of older adults that can be supported by social robots from a co-design perspective. Methods: A qualitative exploratory approach was used, involving a literature review and the support of a Large Language Model (ChatGPT 4o) to identify aspects of well-being, the application of assessment scales, and activities that can be performed by social robots. Scores for relevance, feasibility, and suitability were assigned based on the researchers' expertise. Results: Twenty-four aspects of well-being wereidentified and categorized into five domains, totaling 81 assessment scales that can be performed by social robots, as well as a set of activities to improve the well-being of older adults that can be supported by social robots. Conclusion: Social robots have diverse potential to support health assessment and activities that can potentially enhance the well-being of older adults. Such activities are relevant and feasible for automation through social robots.(AU)

Objetivos: Explorar aspectos de saúde e bem-estar de idososque podem ser apoiados por robôs sociais a partir de uma perspectiva de co-design. Métodos: Foi usadauma abordagem qualitativa exploratória, envolvendo uma revisão da literatura e o apoiode um Modelo de Linguagem de Grande Escala(ChatGPT 4o) para identificar aspectos de bem-estar, a aplicação de escalas de avaliação e atividades que podem ser realizadas por robôs sociais. Pontuações para relevância, viabilidade e adequação foram atribuídas com base na expertise dos pesquisadores. Resultados: Vinte e quatro aspectos de bem-estar foram identificados e categorizados em cinco domínios, totalizando 81 escalas de avaliação que podem ser realizadas por robôs sociais, bem como um conjunto de atividades para melhorar o bem-estar de adultos mais velhos que podem ser apoiados por robôs sociais. Conclusão: Robôs sociais têm um potencial diversificado para apoiar a avaliação de saúde e atividades que podem potencialmente melhorar o bem-estar de adultosmais velhos. Tais atividades são relevantes e viáveis para automação através de robôs sociais.(AU)

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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the accuracy and effectiveness of orthopaedic robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery for limb osteoid osteoma.@*METHODS@#A clinical data of 36 patients with limb osteoid osteomas admitted between June 2016 and June 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 patients underwent orthopaedic robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (robot-assisted surgery group), and 20 patients underwent tumor resection after lotcated by C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy (open surgery group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the gender, age, lesion site, tumor nidus diameter, and preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores ( P>0.05). The operation time, lesion resection time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, lesion resection accuracy, and postoperative analgesic use frequency were recorded and compared between the two groups. The VAS scores for pain severity were compared preoperatively and at 3 days and 3 months postoperatively.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the open surgery group, the robot-assisted surgery group had a longer operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, less fluoroscopy frequency, less postoperative analgesic use frequency, and higher lesion resection accuracy ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in lesion resection time ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up after surgery, with a follow-up period of 3-24 months (median, 12 months) in the two groups. No postoperative complication such as wound infection or fracture occurred in either group during follow-up. No tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. The VAS scores significantly improved in both groups at 3 days and 3 months after surgery when compared with preoperative value ( P<0.05). The VAS score at 3 days after surgery was significantly lower in robot-assisted surgery group than that in open surgery group ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in VAS scores at 3 months between the two groups ( P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with open surgery, robot-assisted resection of limb osteoid osteomas has longer operation time, but the accuracy of lesion resection improve, intraoperative blood loss reduce, and early postoperative pain is lighter. It has the advantages of precision and minimally invasive surgery.

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Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide among men. Among the various therapeutic modalities, radical prostatectomy is the primary treatment option, which can be performed using the following techniques: retropubic (RRP), perineal (RPP), video laparoscopic (VLP), and robot-assisted (RALP). RALP has gained widespread use in urology, primarily due to its technical advantages and superior functional outcomes, such as the maintenance of urinary continence and the preservation of erectile function. However, the oncological outcomes of RALP are comparable to those of RRP and VLP.Objectives: To analyze the perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of prostatectomies performed via RRP, VLP, and RALP at a tertiary hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.Methodology: The study included 367 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2016 and 2021, with 221 patients undergoing RRP, 118 undergoing VLP, and 37 undergoing RALP. Preoperative clinical data and outcomes of interest were assessed through a retrospective analysis of medical records.Results: A lower frequency of sexual dysfunction was observed among patients who underwent RALP (p=0.039) and VLP (p<0.0001) compared to those who underwent RRP. However, the mean surgery time was longer for RALP compared to both RRP (p=0.001) and VLP (p=0.001). Regarding oncological outcomes, RALP demonstrated a higher frequency of free urethral margins (p=0.033). The other oncological, functional, and perioperative factors were statistically similar across the three types of surgery.Conclusion: RALP is associated with a shorter hospital stay and a lower rate of sexual dysfunction up to one year after prostatectomy, compared to RRP. The oncological outcomes were generally equivalent across the techniques, with the exception of urethral margin status (AU)

Introdução: O câncer de próstata é um dos mais incidentes no mundo, ficando atrás apenas do câncer de pele na população masculina. Entre as opções terapêuticas, a prostatectomia radical se destaca, com as principais técnicas sendo: retropúbica (RRP), perineal (RPP), videolaparos-cópica (VLP) e laparoscópica assistida por robôs (RALP). A técnica robótica tem sido amplamente utilizada na urologia devido às suas vantagens técnicas e melhores desfechos funcionais, como a manutenção da continência urinária e a preservação da função erétil. No entanto, os desfechos oncológicos da técnica robótica ainda carecem de dados consistentes que comprovem sua superioridade em relação às outras técnicas.Objetivos: Comparar os desfechos perioperatórios, funcionais e oncológicos de prostatectomias realizadas por RRP, VLP e RALP em pacientes de um hospital terciário em Curitiba-PR (Brasil).Metodologia: Foram incluídos no estudo 367 pacientes diagnosticados com câncer de próstata e submetidos a prostatectomia radical entre 2016 e 2021, sendo 211 via RRP, 118 via VLP e 37 via RALP. Os dados clínicos pré-operatórios e os desfechos de interesse foram coletados por meio de análise retrospectiva dos prontuários.Resultados: Observou-se menor frequência de disfunção sexual e menor tempo de internamento entre os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia via RALP (p=0,039 e p=0,0007) e VLP (p=0,029 e p<0,0001) em comparação com RRP. No entanto, o tempo médio de cirurgia foi maior para RALP quando comparado a RRP (p=0,001) e VLP (p=0,001). Em relação aos desfechos oncológicos, a frequência de margem cirúrgica uretral livre de neoplasia foi maior no grupo RRP comparado ao RALP (p=0,033). Os demais fatores oncológicos, funcionais e perioperatórios foram semelhantes entre os tipos de cirurgia.Conclusão: A RALP está associada a menor tempo de internamento e menor taxa de disfunção sexual até um ano após a prostatectomia, em comparação com a RRP. Os benefícios oncológicos foram equivalentes entre as técnicas, exceto para a margem cirúrgica uretral (AU)

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Objective: To examine the application value of 3D Slicer software assisted domestic frameless stereotactic robot in biopsy of intracranial lesions. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 80 patients who admitted consecutively and underwent intracerebral lesions biopsy with the domestic frameless stereotactic robot at Department of Neurosurgery, Aerospace Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. There were 36 males and 44 females, with a mean age of (38.5±18.0) years (range: 6 to 71 years). Before surgery only enhanced T1-weighted three-dimensional magnetization prepared gradient echo sequences and diffusion tensor imaging scans were performed. Self-reconstruction of intracranial lesions, cerebral cortex and blood vessels was carried out using 3D Slicer software system after the DICOM format imaging data of 80 patients were collected. These imaging data were merged to the workstation of the domestic frameless stereotactic robot for preoperative surgical planning and the surgical puncture path was designed to avoid blood vessels in the brain functional area, cerebral cortex and sulcus. Results: All frameless stereotactic biopsy were successfully performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis included 50 cases of diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglioma, 15 cases of lymphoma, 5 cases of metastatic tumors, 5 cases of inflammatory demyelinating disease, 2 cases of inflammatory granuloma, 1 case of hemangioma, 1 case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia intracranial invasion and 1 case of seminoma. The positive diagnosis rate was 100% (80/80). Postoperative imaging confirmed that the puncture path and target were accurately implemented according to the preoperative planning, and the target error was (1.32±0.44) mm (range: 0.55 to 1.99 mm). One case of puncture-related bleeding occurred at the target after surgery and improved after treatment. Conclusion: The three-dimensional multimodal images reconstructed by the 3D Slicer software before operation could help the surgeons make the preoperative planning and reduce the risk of stereotactic brain biopsy.

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OBJECTIVE@#To study the development of surgical robots at home and abroad in recent years.@*METHODS@#Through a large number of literature review and analysis, the qualification approval and technical function characteristics of domestic and foreign surgical robots from January 2019 to July 2022 were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The related situations of 39 surgical robots were analyzed and reported, and the shortcomings and future development direction of the current surgical robots were summarized.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The development of surgical robots in China is now in a rapid development stage. At present, surgical robots generally have the disadvantages of high cost, lack of tactile feedback (force feedback), large size, large space occupation and difficult to move. In the future, it will develop towards intelligent, miniaturized, remote, open and low-cost.

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Due to the need to achieve precise operations during surgery, in order to prevent hand tremors and poor surgical field of view, more and more surgical robots are used in surgical operations combined with navigation technology to meet the requirements for surgical accuracy. Open surgery such as orthopaedics, joint replacement and neurosurgery on the market generally use optical navigation systems to guide robots to achieve precise positioning, but optical navigation systems cannot be used for operations in areas with small surgical space. Therefore, a robotic surgical system based on electromagnetic navigation technology that can be applied to the craniofacial area was proposed. By using this robot, the problems of difficult operation and low precision caused by the narrow craniofacial space can be solved. Key techniques and considerations are studied. The function of the developed prototype is verified through model tests. The test results show that the surgical robot under the electromagnetic navigation technology can achieve precise surgical operations improve the success rate of the doctor's surgery and reduce postoperative complications.

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Characteristics of two major categories of RA equipment which defined in the standard are interpreted firstly. Few representative RA equipment in current market and their key product features are introduced. Then, classifications of different indexes of spatial positioning accuracy are declared, the difficulties of performing testing process on each indexes are further explained. Meanwhile, different kinds of three dimensional coordinate measuring equipment that are cutting edge at present stage are introduced with their main methods of use explained. According to characteristics of three dimensional coordinate measuring equipment on the market, proper measuring equipment for testing certain index of spatial positioning accuracy and corresponding experiment method are introduced.

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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the early efficacy of Mako robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and summarize the initial application experience.@*METHODS@#Retrospective analysis of 73 patients with KOA treated with Mako robot-assisted TKA from June 2021 to December 2021. There were 16 males and 57 females, aged from 54 to 81 years old with an average of (67.8±6.6) years old. The hip knee and ankle angle (HKA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral femoral component angle (LFCA) and lateral tibial component angle (LTCA) were recorded and analyzed. WOMAC score and KSS were used to compare the functional recovery of patients preoperatively, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.@*RESULTS@#All the 73 patients were successfully treated without serious complications such as vascular and nerve injury, and all the incisions healed well at stageⅠwithout infection. The patients were followed up from 4 to 11 months with an average of (7.0±2.7) months, and the satisfaction rate of the last follow-up was 90.41% (66/73). WOMAC scores were (23.1±5.4) at 3 months and (14.8±4.1) at 6 months postoperatively. KSS clinical scores were ( 76.1±4.0) at 3 months and (82.1±3.7) at 6 months postoperatively;KSS functional scores were (74.3±3.1) at 3 months and (78.6±2.1) at 6 months after operation. Postoperative imaging showed good position of the prosthesis, HKA angle was (178.5±2.1)°, LDFA was (91.2±1.8)°, MPTA was(89.9±1.5) °, LFCA was (7.6±3.1)°, LTCA was (88.2±1.1)°. The mechanical axis within ±3° in sixty cases(82.2%), and the mechanical axis within ±6° in all the patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Mako robot-assisted TKA is a safe and effective surgery in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, which exhibited good efficacy in the correction of lower limb alignment, soft tissue balance and improvement of knee function. The long-term efficacy needs further follow-up observation.

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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy and advantages of Tianji orthopedic robot assisted cannulated screw internal fixation for femoral neck fracture.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 41 patients with femoral neck fracture who underwent internal fixation with cannulated screws from January 2019 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into Tianji robot group and traditional cannulated screw fixation group (traditional operation group). Among them, there were 18 patients in Tianji robot group including 8 males and 10 females with age of (56.00±4.22) years old, Garden typeⅠ (4 cases), type Ⅱ (11 cases), type Ⅲ (2 cases), and type Ⅳ (1 case). There were 23 patients in the traditional operation group, including 10 males and 13 females, aged (54.87±4.81) years old;there were 5 cases of Garden typeⅠ, 14 cases of type Ⅱ, 3 cases of type Ⅲ and 1 case of type Ⅳ. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, guide needle placement times, operation costs and other indicators were observed and compared between two groups. Harris score was used to evaluate hip joint function 12 months after operation.@*RESULTS@#The wounds of all patients healed in Grade A without complications. There were significant differences between two groups in terms of operation time, times of intraoperative fluoroscopy, times of guide needle placement, amount of intraoperative bleeding, and operation cost (P<0.05). All 41 patients were followed up for at least 12 months. The fractures of both groups were healed. There was no infection, screw loosening, fracture displacement and femoral head necrosis in Tianji robot group during follow-up;Screw loosening occurred in 2 patients in the traditional operation group during follow-up. At 12 months after operation, Harris hip joint function score of Tianji robot group was higher than that of traditional operation group in daily activity, lameness, joint activity score and total score (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tianji robot assisted nail placement is a better method for the treatment of femoral neck fracture, which improves the surgical efficiency, is more accurate, has higher success rate of one-time nail placement, shorter operation time, less radiation, and has better hip joint function recovery after surgery.

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PURPOSE@#Robot-assisted technology is a forefront of surgical innovation that improves the accuracy of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). But whether the accuracy of surgery can improve the clinical efficacy still needs further research. The purpose of this study is to perform three-dimensional (3D) analysis in the early postoperative period of patients who received robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RATKA), and to study the trend of changes in gait parameters after RATKA and the correlation with the early clinical efficacy.@*METHODS@#Patients who received RATKA in the Center of Joint Surgery, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Military Medical University from October 2020 to January 2021 were included. The imaging parameters, i.e., hip-knee-ankle angle, lateral distal femoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, posterior condylar angle were measured 3 months post-TKA. The 3D gait analysis and clinical efficacy by Western Ontario Mac Master University Index (WOMAC) score were performed pre-TKA, 3 and 6 months post-TKA. The differences in spatiotemporal parameters of gait, kinetic parameters, and kinematic parameters of the operated limb and the contralateral limb were compared. The correlation between gait parameters and WOMAC scores was analyzed. Paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to analyze the difference between groups, and Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation.@*RESULTS@#There were 31 patients included in this study, and the imaging indexes showed that all of them returned to normal post-TKA. The WOMAC score at 3 months post-TKA was significantly lower than that pre-TKA, and there was no significant difference between at 3 and 6 months. The 3D gait analysis results showed that the double support time of the operated limb reduced at 3 and 6 months (all p < 0.05), the maximum extension and maximum external rotation of the knee joint increased at stance phase, and the maximum flexion angle, the range of motion and the maximum external rotation increased at swing phase. Compared with the preoperative data, there were significant improvements (all p < 0.05). Compared with the contralateral knee joint, the maximum external rotation of the knee joint at swing phase was smaller than that of the contralateral side, and the maximum flexion and extension moment was greater than that of the contralateral knee. The maximum external rotation moment of the joint was greater than that of the contralateral knee joint (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the single support time pre-TKA and the WOMAC score at 3 months (p = 0.017), and the single support time at 3 months was negatively correlated with the WOMAC score at 6 months (p = 0.043). The cadence at 6 months was negatively correlated with the WOMAC score at 6 months (p = 0.031). The maximum knee extension at stance phase at 6 months was negatively correlated with the WOMAC score at 6 month (p = 0.048). The maximum external rotation at stance phase at 6 months was negatively correlated with the WOMAC score at 6 months (p = 0.024).@*CONCLUSION@#The 3D gait analysis of RATKA patients is more sensitive than WOMAC score in evaluating the clinical efficacy. Trend of changes in gait parameters shows that the knee joint support, flexion and extension function, range of motion, external rotation and varus deformity moment of the patient were significantly improved at 3 months after surgery, and continued to 6 months after surgery. Compared with the contralateral knee, the gait parameters of the operated limb still has significant gaps in functionality, such as the external rotation and flexion and extension. The single support time, cadence, knee extension, and knee external rotation of the operated limb have a greater correlation with the postoperative WOMAC score. Postoperative rehabilitation exercises should be emphasized, which is of great value for improving the early efficacy of RATKA.

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Objective: To methodically assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted total rectal mesenteric resection (RTME), laparoscopic-assisted total rectal mesenteric resection (laTME), and transanal total rectal mesenteric resection (taTME). Methods: A computer search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases to identify English-language reports published between January 2017 and January 2022 that compared the clinical efficacy of the three surgical procedures of RTME, laTME, and taTME. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the NOS and JADAD scales for retrospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials, respectively. Direct meta-analysis and reticulated meta-analysis were performed using Review Manager software and R software, respectively. Results: Twenty-nine publications comprising 8,339 patients with rectal cancer were ultimately included. The direct meta-analysis indicated that the length of hospital stay was longer after RTME than after taTME, whereas according to the reticulated meta-analysis the length of hospital stay was shorter after taTME than after laTME (MD=-0.86, 95%CI: -1.70 to -0.096, P=0.036). Moreover, the incidence of anastomotic leak was lower after taTME than after RTME (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.39 to 0.91, P=0.018). The incidence of intestinal obstruction was also lower after taTME than after RTME (OR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.31 to 0.94, P=0.037). All of these differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the three surgical procedures regarding the number of lymph nodes cleared, length of the inferior rectal margin, or rate of positive circumferential margins (all P>0.05). An inconsistency test using nodal analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the results of direct and indirect comparisons of the six outcome indicators (all P>0.05). Furthermore, we detected no significant overall inconsistency between direct and indirect evidence. Conclusion: taTME has advantages over RTME and laTME, in terms of radical and surgical short-term outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

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OBJECTIVES@#Surgical robot system has broken the limitation of traditional surgery and shown excellent performance in surgery, and has been widely used in minimally invasive treatment in most areas of surgery. This study aims to verify the basic performance of the domestic surgical robot system and the safety and effectiveness of the integrated bipolar electrocoagulation and ultrasonic knife.@*METHODS@#The basic performance of the domestic surgical robot system was evaluated by completing the square knot and surgical knot, vertical and horizontal perforation and right ring perforation and suture, as well as picking up beans. Compared with laparoscopy, the safety and effectiveness of the domestic surgical robot after integrated interconnection bipolar electrocoagulation and ultrasonic scalpel were evaluated by detecting the vascular closure performance and the degree of histopathological damage in animals.@*RESULTS@#Compared with freehand knotting, domestic robot knotting speed and circumference were slightly worse, but better than laparoscopic knotting. There was no statistical significance in the tension difference of the surgical knots among the 3 methods (P>0.05), but the tension of the square knots made by the freehand and the domestic surgical robot was greater than that of the laparoscopy (P<0.05). The space required for both the left and right forceps heads of knots was smaller than that of laparoscopy (P<0.001), which successfully completed the 4 quadrant suture tasks, and the time of picking up beans was significantly less than that of laparoscopy (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the temperature of the liver tissue after the bipolar electrocoagulation between the interconnected domestic surgical robot and the laparoscopy (P>0.05), and the acute thermal injury was observed under the light microscope. The temperature of the liver tissue treated by the domestic robotic ultrasound knife was higher than that of the laparoscopic ultrasound knife (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Domestic surgical robots are obviously superior to laparoscopy in suturing, knotting, and moving objects, and domestic surgical robots' interconnect bipolar electrocoagulation and ultrasonic knife have achieved success in animal experiments, and hemostasis is considered to be safe and effective.

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The difficulties such as how to accurately locate acupoints and safely insert needles are presented in acupuncture robot. The puncture robot with high technological similarity to acupuncture robot is getting mature, and a large number of human trials and animal experiments have been conducted for the development of puncture robot. Through comparing the similarities and differences between puncture robot and acupuncture robot in the aspects of through-skin puncture, needle insertion and needle removal, the valuable technology of puncture robot is analyzed for the development of acupuncture robot, and the crucial direction of technology migration is determined. ①Integrating the mechanical feedback and medical imaging technology and utilizing the multi-modal perception to achieve the safety of acupuncture operation. ②Emphasizing the integration of the existing designs of chest puncture robot to realize the acupuncture operation with inhalation and exhalation involved. ③Focusing on the development of relevant technology of automatic needle removal through conducting the actual scenario of treatment with acupuncture robot in patients under non-anaesthetic condition.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the short-term clinical effects of robot-assisted and laparoscopic repair of the hiatal hernia. Methods: The clinical data of 56 patients underwent minimally invasive hiatal hernia repair from January 2021 to January 2022 in the Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hernias and Abdominal Wall Surgery, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 24 females, aging (59.7±10.7) years (range: 28 to 75 years). All patients were divided into laparoscopy group (n=27) and robot group (n=29) according to surgical procedures. Perioperative conditions, hospital stay, and improvement in symptoms before and after surgery were compared between the two groups by the t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and χ2 test. Results: All surgical procedures were successfully completed, without conversion to laparotomy or change in operation mode. There were no serious complications related to the operation. The intraoperative blood loss of the robot group was less than that of the laparoscopic group (M (IQR)): (20 (110) ml vs. 40 (80) ml, Z=-4.098, P<0.01). The operation time ((111.7±33.6) minutes vs. (120.4±35.0) minutes, t=-0.943, P=0.350) and hospitalization time ((3.9±1.4) days vs. (4.7±1.9) days, t=-1.980, P=0.053) of the robot group and the laparoscopic group were similar. Follow-up for 12 months after the operation showed no postoperative complications and recurrence. The score of the health-related quality of life questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease in the robot group decreased from 10.8±2.8 before the operation to 6.5±0.6 after the operation, and that in the laparoscopic group decreased from 10.6±2.1 before the operation to 6.3±0.6 after the operation. There was no difference in the influence of different surgical methods on the change in score (t=0.030,P=0.976). Conclusion: Compared with laparoscopic repair of the hiatal hernia, robot-assisted hiatal hernia repair has the advantages of less bleeding, rapid postoperative recovery and good short-term effect.