AI-Powered Robotic Surgery
Current robotic surgical systems require extensive manual control and monitoring, with surgeons spending up to 30% of procedure time managing tool transitions and camera positioning. These inefficiencies compound across thousands of procedures annually, impacting both surgical team workflow and operating room utilization.
The core challenge lies in automating routine surgical tasks while maintaining absolute precision and safety in a dynamic operating environment where split-second decisions have critical consequences.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including AI-powered tissue recognition systems, automated surgical state detection, machine learning for instrument tracking, and intelligent workflow optimization. These and other approaches focus on enhancing surgical efficiency while maintaining surgeon control over critical decision points during procedures.
1. Non-Line-of-Sight Bone and Instrument Tracking System Using Inertial and Ultrasound Sensors with Robotic Arm Integration
ORTHOSOFT ULC, 2025
Tracking bones and surgical instruments in robot-assisted surgery without line-of-sight requirements. The system uses alternative tracking methods like inertial sensors or ultrasound imaging connected to the objects, along with robot arm position data, to continuously track and output the position and orientation of the objects in the surgical frame of reference. This allows tracking bones with limited exposure or hidden areas by registering them with the robot arm and leveraging the robot's position sensors instead of relying solely on direct line-of-sight sensors.
2. Neural Network-Based Tool Configuration Detection in Catheter Using Image Analysis
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC, 2025
Determining the configuration of a tool inside a catheter using a neural network trained on images of the tool being inserted into the catheter. The network analyzes live images of the tool as it's being advanced into the catheter to determine the tool's orientation and location inside the catheter. This allows accurate tracking of the tool's position and orientation inside the catheter, even when visibility is limited. The neural network is trained by feeding it images of the tool being inserted into the catheter with known orientations, so it learns to recognize the tool's appearance in different configurations.
3. Anchor UE Selection Mechanism for Sidelink Positioning Utilizing Comprehensive Criteria Signals
QUALCOMM INC, 2025
Selecting the best anchor UE for sidelink positioning in wireless communications by providing comprehensive anchor UE selection criteria. A candidate anchor UE can signal its position accuracy, type, source, age, validity, and assistance data validity to other UEs. This allows sidelink-capable UEs to choose the most suitable anchor for positioning based on factors like reliability, longevity, and accuracy.
4. Endoscope Control System with Machine Learning-Based Distal End Manipulation
OLYMPUS CORP, 2025
Endoscope control system that improves manipulation of the distal end of the scope during procedures by using machine learning to determine appropriate movements based on the endoscopic image. The system acquires an endoscopic image, determines operation details like bending angles and motion paths using trained machine learning models, and then controls the scope movement based on the learned details. This allows the system to properly navigate through complex anatomy by leveraging historical images and labels to learn optimal movements.
5. Robotic Surgery System with AI-Driven Surgical Planning and Adaptive Control
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION, 2025
Robotic surgery system that uses AI and machine learning to improve surgical planning and robotic control. The system analyzes data from past surgeries to generate feedback for surgeons and the robots. It can predict changes in organ function based on surgical plans and suggest adjustments. It uses imaging to identify vasculature within the organ and estimates long-term blood flow to determine function loss. The AI-generated scores can help optimize treatment trajectories to avoid unnecessary organ damage.
6. Surgical Workflow System with Fiber Optic Shape Sensing for Instrument and Anatomy Tracking
SMITH & NEPHEW ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, SMITH & NEPHEW ORTHOPAEDICS AG, SMITH & NEPHEW INC, 2025
Enhancing surgical workflows using computer-assisted surgery with improved tracking techniques. The methods involve attaching flexible fiber optic shape sensing (FOSS) devices to anatomical structures or surgical instruments in a surgical environment. Reflectivity data from the FOSS devices is used to track their locations. This allows accurate tracking of anatomy and instruments inside patients, without line-of-sight or EM interference. The FOSS devices can also detect flexibility changes in instruments. This data is used to automatically control instrument behavior and prevent collisions.
7. Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument with Longitudinally Movable Transducer Assembly on Rail-Guided Carrier
CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL, 2025
Ultrasonic surgical instrument with a movable ultrasonic transducer assembly for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient. The transducer assembly is attached to a carrier that can slide along the instrument's longitudinal axis. This allows the transducer to move between a proximal position near the handle and a distal position near the blade tip. The carrier is guided along rails and driven by a screw. The distal movement extends the ultrasonic blade for insertion into the patient. The robotic system can have this instrument mounted on a robotic arm for precise positioning during surgery.
8. Automated Bone Correction Planning System with Virtual Modeling and Graphical Template Overlay for External Fixation Devices
STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC, 2025
Automated planning of bone correction using external fixation devices by generating virtual models and optimization algorithms. The method involves creating virtual models of deformed bones using images and autonomously overlaying graphical templates with landmarks. These templates are used to generate virtual fixation rings and rings can be graphically manipulated to optimize the fixation frame configuration for bone correction. The automated planning simplifies and expedites finding the optimal fixation frame setup for complex bone deformities compared to manual configuration.
9. System for Position Tracking Using IMU Drift Reset Based on Physiological Motion Minimization
MAZOR ROBOTICS LTD, 2025
Accurately determining the position of an anatomic part of a patient's body during robot-assisted surgery to account for patient movement and compensate for IMU drift. The system uses an IMU attached to the patient's anatomy to track its position. It resets the IMU's drift periodically by detecting points in time when the patient's respiration and heartbeat are minimally moving. This provides repeatable, stationary points for resetting the IMU's reference.
10. Real-Time Adaptive Biomechanical Model Based on Intervention Step and Patient-Specific Data Acquisition
BRAINLAB AG, 2025
Adapting a biomechanical model of an anatomical body part to match a patient's current status during a medical intervention. The method involves determining the current step of the intervention, then acquiring data like region-of-interest, imaging, and instrument guidance to adapt the biomechanical model. This allows updating the model during the intervention based on real-time changes in the patient's anatomy.
11. Robotic Surgical System with AI-Driven Data Transcription, Analysis, and Conversational Interface
IX INNOVATION LLC, 2025
Automated and robotic surgical procedures using AI to transcribe, analyze, and present patient data during surgery. The system collects data from medical professionals, sensors, and imaging devices. It analyzes the data using AI models and presents the findings in a conversational interface to the surgeon. The surgeon can provide additional data which is further analyzed. This allows real-time analysis and decision making during surgery. The AI can also generate surgical plans, simulate procedures, and optimize outcomes. The goal is to prevent errors, improve outcomes, and reduce recovery time using AI-assisted surgery.
12. Robotic Surgical System with Force-Controlled End Effector and Image-Guided Trajectory Calculation
KB MEDICAL SA, 2025
Robotic surgical system for precise placement and guidance of tools during surgery, particularly spinal surgery. The system uses a portable robotic arm with a force-controlled end effector that holds surgical tools. The robotic arm allows intuitive, manual positioning of the tool for accurate trajectories without pre-op planning. The end effector can switch between force control (impedance) and holding modes. It calculates trajectories from images and real-time position. The robotic cart stabilizes during surgery. The system enables precise, repeatable tool placement and guidance for spinal procedures like drilling.
13. Robotic System with Real-Time Instrument-Based Positioning and Error Correction for Minimally Invasive Surgeries
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV, 2025
Robotic system for precise instrument positioning during minimally invasive surgeries without requiring external tracking devices. The system uses real-time instrument tracking to align the robotic arm with the planned trajectory. It calculates the error between the tracked instrument position and the target, then iteratively moves the arm to close the gap. This avoids the need for external markers or registration steps since the robot aligns based on the instrument's own feedback.
14. Internally Assembled Robotic Surgical System with Segmented Arms and External Support Structure
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, 2025
Robotic surgical system that can be fully inserted into a patient's body for minimally invasive procedures without the need for external ports. The robotic device consists of segmented arms with motors and operational components that can be assembled inside the body. It's controlled externally via a support structure that extends through an incision. This allows the robot to be completely inside the body for procedures like biopsy, dissection, and retraction without external access. The support structure provides power and communication to the robot. The system can also have sealing ports to create a closed environment inside the body.
15. Robotic Surgical System with Force/Torque Controlled End-Effector and Real-Time Position Tracking for Automated Tool Trajectory Maintenance
GLOBUS MEDICAL INC, 2025
Robotic surgical system for spinal, neuro, and orthopedic surgeries that improves precision, reduces radiation exposure, and allows easy sterilization. The system has a robotic arm with a force/torque controlled end-effector to hold a surgical tool. A tracking detector detects tool/patient position. A processor maintains the tool on a pre-planned trajectory using real-time positions. The robotic arm automatically adjusts tool position as the vertebra moves to keep the trajectory. This allows stable, guided instrument placement without requiring manual coordination with 2D images.
16. Surgical Robot Navigation System with 3D Anatomical Volume Collision Avoidance
MAZOR ROBOTICS LTD, 2025
Navigation of surgical robots to prevent collisions with patient anatomy during movements. The method involves defining 3D volumes around critical anatomical elements based on registration data. The robot arm is then controlled to avoid passing through these volumes during movements. This prevents unintentional collisions with patient anatomy.
17. Robotic Laser Surgery System with Computer-Modulated Intensity and Real-Time Sensor Feedback
IX INNOVATION LLC, 2025
Robotic laser surgery system that uses computer-modulated laser intensity to precisely and accurately remove tissues during surgical procedures. The system involves a surgical robot with a laser attached. Before surgery, a pre-operative plan is generated based on patient and procedure data. The plan includes initial laser settings. During surgery, imaging and sensors continuously monitor the area. The computer determines real-time adjustments based on the monitoring. The laser automatically adjusts during surgery to ensure accurate and precise removal of tissues.
18. Surgical System with Automated Camera View Adjustment Based on Event-Driven Location Identification
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC, 2025
Automatically adjusting camera views in a surgical system to capture specific locations of interest during procedures. The system analyzes surgical session data to identify events and determine associated locations. It then directs the camera to automatically adjust its view to capture those locations without manual intervention. This allows quick visualization of critical areas during procedures without requiring the user to move the camera.
19. Robotic Catheter System with Individually Bendable Segments and Tip Position Tracking
THE BRIGHAM AND WOMENS HOSPITAL INC, 2025
Robotic catheter system for accurate and efficient targeting of hard-to-reach locations in the body like peripheral lung nodules. The system uses a robotic catheter with segments that can bend individually. A tracking device monitors the catheter tip position. The system allows tilting and offsetting the tip using separate bending operations. It estimates sampling locations based on tip position and target. A display shows the expected locations history as the tip moves. This helps avoid repeated attempts to align the tip.
20. Robotic Ankle Fracture Reduction System with Actuatable Section and Force-Limiting Controller
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, CHILDRENS NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM, 2025
Robotic system to accurately reduce ankle fractures by assisting surgeons during the procedure. The system uses a separate actuatable section and a passive arm that attach to the tibia and fibula respectively. A controller limits the forces and torque during reduction based on predefined max values. The system helps reduce ankle fractures by accurately aligning the distal tibiofibular joint using robotic assistance. This improves reduction accuracy compared to manual methods and reduces radiation exposure compared to fluoroscopy.
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