1. Operating room compatibility of robotic systems

Integrating a robot into an operating room requires a number of constraints to be taken into account. These constraints are linked to :

• the types of operations (neurosurgery, endoscopic surgery, orthopedic surgery, interventional radiology, etc.) and the functionalities the robot needs to perform these operations;

• the environment into which the robot is introduced, which is often crowded with medical equipment (for radiology, anesthesia, etc.);

• the imaging systems used to integrate the robot;

• robot components in contact with the patient, which must be autoclavable or covered with sterile drapes.

The operating theatres where most of these constraints have to be taken into account are interventional radiology rooms, particularly...