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Robotic Surgery

We’re a long way from robots automating surgery as much as they automate other industries such as manufacturing. However, there is a clear path to this futuristic end:

  • 100% human controlled robotic device – this is where we are at the moment, complex surgical instruments rather than robots (e.g. Da Vinci).
  • Restricted human controlled robotic device – where the surgeon can specify limits to movements, in advance, to avoid accidental damage (e.g. THINK Surgical).
  • Automation of standard parts of surgical procedures – for example, making incisions and sewing up (see below).
  • Controlled autonomous robot surgery – medical team provides high-level plan for robot to follow, with human approval needed at each stage of the process. However, with telesurgery, the team may be remote (e.g. a different country) to the patient.
  • Supervised autonomous robot surgery – humans will still provide supervision with a hand poised over a big red emergency stop button. Eventually, we will have to get rid of the emergency button too as there won’t be any human surgeons to take any corrective action.

The end result may appear challenging, but each step feeds into the next – providing data for future AI systems to learn from.

Although, currently, there may not be a cost-benefit to using robotic systems, as with all technology the prices will come down. And as we progress to the later stages of automation then the savings (e.g. of training surgeons whose skills are lost when they retire) will make most operations affordable to all.

Automation

Although to the patient an operation may be a life changing experience, some procedures are very much routine and performed by a surgeon many times each day. The less unique patient-unique parts of these operations are already the target of new companies – for example, the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) uses 3D infra-red imaging to outperform experts making surgical incisions, resulting in less damage to the surrounding tissue, and can also accurately sew a wound back up.

See also nanobots information and telemedicine news in digital health.

Robotic Surgery News

Robotics vs. augmented reality: A new era in spine surgery

Robotics vs. augmented reality: A new era in spine surgery

Medical Xpress - 04-Dec-2024

HSS study finds both technologies highly precise and safe for spinal surgery

Robot trained by watching surgery videos performs procedures as skillfully as humans

Robot trained by watching surgery videos performs procedures as skillfully as humans

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) - 11-Nov-2024

This approach reduces errors and speeds up training for complex surgeries

Horizon Surgical raises $30M to enhance robotic cataract surgery

Horizon Surgical raises $30M to enhance robotic cataract surgery

FierceBiotech - 21-Oct-2024

Their Polaris system aims to improve cataract removal precision and consistency

Mendaera Secures $73M to Revolutionize Medical Robotics

Mendaera Secures $73M to Revolutionize Medical Robotics

Medical Device Network - 30-Sep-2024

AI-powered handheld system aims to expand robotic precision to routine healthcare procedure

More Robotic Surgery News

Robotic Surgery Resources

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Surgical robot uses magnets to move organs

Surgical robot moves organs around inside the body using magnets

CMR Surgical

Company designing next-generation tool for surgery.

Virtual Incision

Company focused on developing an advanced, miniaturized robot for general surgery abdominal procedures, such as colon resections

Vicarious Surgical

Vicarious Surgical develops virtual reality software for minimally invasive surgery procedures.

Verb Surgical

Medical equipment manufacturer in Santa Clara, California.

Auris Health

Robotic medical company which is a pioneer in surgical robotics.

More Robotic Surgery resources
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Robotic Surgery