The popularity of computer-assisted surgical (CAS) systems is growing at an alarming rate, which is expected to aid in the growth of the computer-assisted surgical systems market. Since 1990, the rate of surgery using computer-assisted robotic surgery equipment has nearly tripled. If current trends continue, the demand for CAS will continue to increase exponentially in the next few years. Currently, nearly every major hospital in the U.S. has at least one CAS unit.
Robotic-assisted surgical (RAS) systems offer many benefits over traditional counterparts, including faster recovery, fewer postoperative complications, greater postoperative survival, and improved postoperative function, thereby aiding in the growth of the computer-assisted surgical systems market. RAS applications may also prove beneficial in the treatment of complex or severely damaged abdominal organs or limbs, or conditions such as arthrodesis (an abnormal separation of the hip joint). Because robotic surgery is not an appropriate substitute for human orthopedic surgery, it has not been widely tested for use in severe conditions. However, computer-assisted surgical systems, such as those that use computer imaging to guide the surgical process, may soon prove to be an acceptable alternative to minimally invasive procedures.
CAS uses surgical navigation to design a customized operative plan for each patient. Through a combination of multi-phased computer and surgical technologies, a pre-operative planning tool guides the robotic arm through the recommended surgical steps. Once the surgeon has mapped out the movements necessary to perform a particular surgical procedure, the computer uses onboard diagnostics to determine the most effective operative protocol. Through a combination of image and voice recognition technology, the robot accurately identifies body parts and fine movements necessary for each surgical procedure. Such a sophisticated approach boosts demand for CAS, thereby aiding in the growth of the computer-assisted surgical systems market.
Another advantage of robotic-assisted surgical devices is their inherent compatibility with the wide variety of surgical tools surgeons often use. For example, traditional laparoscopy requires a laparoscope full of instruments. However, when these traditional tools are used in conjunction with robotic instrumentation, surgeons can cut back the number of instruments and greatly reduce the time it takes to complete a successful laparoscopy. Robotic instruments in the computer-assisted surgical systems market can even work alongside their mechanical counterparts. In other words, robotic-assisted surgical devices can double as a viable backup option for surgical instruments that are hard to operate or are in extremely limited mobility.
However, the high price of robotic surgery equipment is expected to limit the growth of the computer-assisted surgical systems market.