Foundation of Cardiac Surgery Development since 2000, runs a unique project in Europe, leading to the creation of robotic cardiac surgery. Developing a multidisciplinary team and the experience gained and projects represent an opportunity to quickly implement a range of modern surgical instruments in Poland. The result of previous work are projects, models, research and construct a prototype of a polish cardiac surgery robot Robin Heart, which has a segmented structure that allows for a parallel of equipment for different types of operations. There are three models of the robot: Robin Heart 0, Robin Heart 1 and Robin Heart 2, differing in such Control concept and attachment. Last year developed the youngest model (2007) of Polish robots family  - Robin Heart Vision, which is an autonomous robot control of endovisual track position with wide field of application for most mini-invasive surgery replacing one of the assistants at the operating table. On the basis of Robin Heart 1 the project of Robin Heart 3 robot developed in Technical University of Lodz (our partner from the beginning of the project), in the team of prof. Leszek Podsędkowskiego. Currently, the Foundation is leading an extensive work on a clinical version of Robin Heart Vision robot, on proper prototype models of Robin Heart robot for experimental research on animals, and - on the Robin Heart Uni System project - to develop a new generation of robotic surgical tools. Innovative, mechatronic tools of considerable mobility, multi-functional and semi reduce operative time and significantly enhance the capabilities of the operator and safety of the treatment. In close cooperation with doctors and medical students there have also been created a model of ergonomic Robin Heart Shell control console.

The counseling program Robin Heart Expert has been developed. It is available at the time of surgery. The surgeon, the robot operator will be able to choose the motion adjuster for his individual fit requirements. This counseling program is an intelligent database containing all patient diagnostic data (including images) and data obtained in the preparation and planning operations. We plan to develop and test the robot control system at a distance called teleoperation. and we also plan to use developed tools and new techniques of surgery for implantation and maintenance of artificial organs including artificial heart (project AORobAS - Artificial Organs Robotically Assisted Surgery). Weight and originality of the Robin Heart project led to the development of an interest in robotics in Poland and the emergence of a new field of science in Poland - surgical robotics. With the support of EU project EQUAL (ESF), we created the Department of Robin Heart Service as the beginning of the first Polish company producing robots. As a responsible for launching this activity leading to the clinical implementation of mechatronic tools we will also assume the responsibility for preparing certain standards, testing system of these innovative tools for surgery. We are building research positions and develop a systemic method of their verification, especially in the laboratory. Works on the surgical robot also stimulate the educational and promotional activities. The most important is Surgery Workshop and International Conference on Medical Robots. We are also involved in publishing - we published the first Polish book on recent advances in this field called "Medical Robots". We plan to regular publish the updates of knowledge in field of those books in conjunction with the conference. We have introduced many new ways of teaching and training of surgeons, including a virtual operating room (only one of its original venture in Poland). We're working on DuoTeacher Robin Heart system that enables parallel work of teacher and student through two composite control consoles.



Polish family of a surgical robot named Robin Heart is an opportunity for the introduction into clinical practice of modern, efficient surgeon tools. Thanks to them there will be a possibility to use more widely technique of less invasive surgery for the patient, safely for the patient and .. the doctor. Planned to implement in the near future Robin Heart Vision will replace the assistant holding and controlling the location of the video track and allow to execute the operation solo, by one operator. There are mechatronic tools of Robin Heart Uni System. We hope that our work will be completed by deployments, will be widely distributed and will gain the approval of audiences - physicians and patients.

Acknowledgments

Work funded of the study resources in 2006-2009 as a research and development project, Grant No. R1303301 and KBN 8 T11E 001 18 and by the Foundation for Cardiac Surgery Development. Thank to all participants of the grant, researchers and students, for their contribution to the project.