Robustness analysis of a smart surgical drill for cochleostomy

Abstract

The smart drill has been used to prepare cochleostomies in theatre and was used to remove bone tissue leaving the endosteal membrane intact. This has enabled preservation of sterility and the drilling debris to be removed prior to insertion of the electrode. Results presented in this paper suggest that the robotic smart drill is tolerant and robust on various angled drilling trajectories with respect to tissues, tissue thickness, environmental disturbances, and has been used within the operating theatre.