Virtual surgical planning, robotic assistance, and real-time 3D navigation have revolutionized orthopedic procedures.
Smart technology in surgery includes a suite of technologies all aiming at improving the patient’s care journey and the surgeon’s procedural efficiency and success. It encompasses artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, augmented reality (AR), 3D printing, implants with embedded sensors, and much more to improve precision and outcomes.
AI analyzes large datasets to help with diagnosis, plan procedures, and offer real-time decision support. It can predict patient risks like complications or adverse events, as well as optimize surgical instrument movements. Robotic systems boost a surgeon’s precision and control to enable complex procedures with a minimally invasive approach.
AR overlays crucial information like medical scans or anatomical structure onto the real world through devices like headsets so surgeons can visualize and locate specific areas with accuracy during a procedures. 3D printing is used to create patient-specific surgical models, guides, and custom implants matched to an individual’s anatomy.
Smart surgical instruments are also part of the team. The advanced tools are equipped with sensors and microchips to provide real-time data and feedback to the surgeon—examples include smart scalpels that can detect tissue types and help prevent damage to healthy tissue.
Telemedicine allows for remote consultations and even remote surgery, which can help bridge geographical gaps in access to specialized surgical expertise. Digital twins create a virtual replica of the patient so surgeons can simulate and plan a procedure beforehand, including testing different techniques, predicting outcomes, and spotting possible complications before the surgery takes place.
By Sam Brusco | Orthopedic Design and Technology
Image Credit: Sam Brusco / ODT
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