Abstract
This paper discusses a new class of robots known as concentric tube robots and their application to transnasal skull base surgery. The endonasal approach has clear benefits for patients, but the surgery presents challenges that strongly motivate the use of robotic tools. In this paper, the concentric tube robot concept is described, and preliminary experimental results for transnasal skull base surgery are reviewed. Just as the da Vinci robot has revolutionized many laparoscopic surgeries, we expect concentric tube robots will enable the advancement of skull base surgery and the development of other minimally invasive procedures that require access through constrained paths.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
R Webster III is the inventor on US Patent No. 8152756, which describes concentric tube robots. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.