  Background: Robotic technologies involved in skin laser are emerging.
Objective: To compare the accuracy, efficacy and safety of novel robotic
prototype with human operator in laser operation performance for skin
photo-rejuvenation. Methods: Seventeen subjects were enrolled in a prospective,
comparative split-face trial. Q-switch 1064nm laser conducted by the robotic
prototype was provided on the right side of the face and that by the
professional practitioner on the left. Each subject underwent a single time,
one-pass, non-overlapped treatment on an equal size area of the forehead and
cheek. Objective assessments included: treatment duration, laser irradiation
shots, laser coverage percentage, VISIA parameters, skin temperature and the
VAS pain scale. Results: Average time taken by robotic manipulator was longer
than human operator; the average number of irradiation shots of both sides had
no significant differences. Laser coverage rate of robotic manipulator (60.2
+-15.1%) was greater than that of human operator (43.6 +-12.9%). The VISIA
parameters showed no significant differences between robotic manipulator and
human operator. No short or long-term side effects were observed with maximum
VAS score of 1 point. Limitations: Only one section of laser treatment was
performed. Conclusion: Laser operation by novel robotic prototype is more
reliable, stable and accurate than human operation.
