Method and apparatus for computerized surgery

A method of performing a computer-assisted surgical procedure on the spine of a patient comprising the steps of:

• determining an entry point and at least one of an access path and an implant path towards a surgical target site using at least one of a two-dimensional image file and a three-dimensional image file stored in the memory of a computer, wherein at least one of said access path and said implant path comprise an entry angle;
• storing said entry point and at least one of said access path and said implant path in said memory of said computer;
• affixing a robotic assembly over an operative region of the patient, said robotic assembly comprising at least one aperture and being adapted to receive a portion of at least one surgical tool therethrough and operable to produce coordinated movements in six degrees of freedom to reposition said aperture relative to said operative region, said robotic assembly in communication with said computer;
• retrieving from said computer said entry point and at least one of said access path and said implant path and automatically repositioning said robotic assembly such that at least one said surgical tool is oriented at said entry point to follow a desired trajectory along at least one of said access path and said implant path towards said surgical target site;
• and
• placing at least a portion of said surgical tool through said aperture along said desired trajectory along at least one of said access path and said implant path towards said surgical target site.