A special section on selected papers from the 4th Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics, 2011

摘要

Focusing on robotic technologies that are safe, intelligent, cost-effective and accessible to all, the Hamlyn Symposium is establishing itself as an annual international forum for clinicians, engineers and researchers to exchange ideas and explore new challenges and opportunities in medical robotics and allied technologies. Each year, the topics covered by the Symposium range from engineering solutions to clinical highlights and economic considerations of both existing and emerging medical robotic platforms. The 2011 Hamlyn Symposium is yet another success, thanks to an excellent collection of papers covering a diverse range of research areas including clinical outcomes, planning and navigation, perception and vision, emerging hardware platforms, training and neuroergonomics, as well as general considerations of robotic surgery in routine clinical settings. In this special issue, we have selected five representative manuscripts from the 42 papers presented at the Symposium, based on the initial review scores and the quality of the presentation during the meeting. They represent the unique multidisciplinary blend of the Symposium and our increasing focus on cost-effectiveness and improved patient access through technological innovation.