Robotic surgical systems are transforming how complex surgeries are performed. Using minimally invasive techniques and wrist-like movements, surgical robots allow surgeons an enhanced view of the surgical area through high-definition cameras. They also filter out any hand tremors to increase precision. Leading the way has been Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci robot which has been used for hundreds of thousands of surgeries worldwide since its FDA approval in 2000. Key benefits of robotic assisted surgery include smaller incisions resulting in less pain and scarring for patients as well as shorter hospital stays and recovery times. Robots also give surgeons better ergonomics by converting hand movements at a console into precise real-time movements of wrist-like surgical instruments inside the patient. This helps minimize fatigue and reduces risks from long surgeries.
Enhanced Visualization and Precision for Delicate Procedures
Procedures like heart surgery, ENT surgery and gynecological surgery especially benefit from the improved 3D visualization, dexterity and precision provided by surgical robots. As robotic tools have even smaller wrist joints than human hands, they are well-suited for delicate microsurgeries such as dissecting cancerous tumors or repairing nerve damage. Exonucleic, a London-based robotics company has developed a system called Mikro to enable microsurgery with just 1mm instruments. With 7 degrees of freedom matching the human hand, Mikro could make complex ear, nose and throat surgeries more accessible. Robotic systems also assist in prostatectomies which require highly precise control near sensitive tissues and nerves. A 2016 study found reduced positive margin rates for prostate cancer surgeries using robotic assistance compared to traditional open surgery.
Wider Range of Minimally Invasive Surgeries Across Specialties
Beyond just assisting laparoscopic and keyhole surgeries, medical robots are being deployed in newer ways too. Anthropic has developed a robot called Claude which uses AI to autonomously suture wounds using minimally invasive techniques. Earlier requiring open surgery, procedures like transoral surgery to remove tumors in the throat are now performed with the help of robotic systems and slimmer instruments inserted through the mouth instead of large incisions. The Monarch platform from Asensus Surgical uses robotics for a natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery approach which accesses internal organs through existing body openings without external incisions. This expands the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to a wider range of complex procedures.
Personalized Surgical Planning and Rehabilitation
Medical robots are also enhancing other areas of surgery. Pre-operative planning and simulation of complex surgeries can be aided by modeling patients’ anatomical details reconstructed from MRI/CT scans. AI powered pre-surgical planning tools allow surgeons to visualize outcomes in detail and tailor surgical steps accordingly. Companies like Anthropic are developing AI solutions for robotic procedural assistance and simulation training. Robots can also play a role in post-surgical recovery through robot-assisted rehabilitation therapies. Exoskeletons guide movements for patients undergoing physiotherapy after conditions like strokes to improve their recovery rate, mobility and quality of life. The Indego exoskeleton from Parker Hannifin aids walking rehabilitation while Rewalk’s systems help patients regain independence.
Room for More Deployment Outside Major Hospitals
While still most accessible in large metropolitan hospitals, the role of medical robots is expanding. Portable modular robots are being developed by companies like Inprox Medical to enable minimally invasive surgery in community hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers with fewer resources. Microbot Medical’s SurgiBot, a snake-like surgical robot recently got FDA approval for neurological applications and is compact enough to operate in standard surgical environments. Increased robot deployment across less specialized facilities would help address a growing global need for accessible surgical care with minimized risks and recovery times. With robotic technology evolving rapidly, there is enormous potential to broaden access to advanced surgical solutions worldwide in the coming decade.
Future Prospects for Medical Robots
The field of medical robots continues to evolve at a rapid pace and offers immense potential to both enhance existing surgical and diagnostic capabilities as well as enable new approaches to healthcare. Research into areas like soft robotics, untethered autonomous systems and human-robot collaboration frameworks will fuel new directions for the technology. We may see the emergence of robotic platforms that can assist across multiple specialties by adapting tools and functions as needed. Miniaturized surgical robots may enable natural orifice procedures and even develop capabilities for suturing internal wounds independently under external guidance. AI integration promises benefits like automated tool tracking and trajectory planning during procedures. Advances in areas like battery technology, 5G networks and high-density computing will support the next wave of portable untethered robots with enhanced perceptive abilities. Overall, medical robots holds tremendous promise to revolutionize how surgical, rehabilitative and diagnostic care is delivered globally in the years ahead.
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