I am totally in awe of the advanced technology used to create “robotic surgeons” that can out-perform the skills of our best neurosurgeons, carrying out vital life-saving operations.
Thanks to EU-funded researchers from Germany, Italy, Israel and the UK, this can be done. The robot has performed accurate keyhole neurosurgery on dummies, and when ready for humans, could ease the suffering of patients diagnosed with tumours, and conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Tourette syndrome.
The astonishing breakthrough by Robocast in robotic neurosurgery was announced this week to mark European Robotics Week.
I learnt about it while researching a project for Geant, the high speed European communication network dedicated to research and education, and was amazed to learn that a robot has 13 types of movements, compared to four available to human hands during minimally invasive surgery. It can also provide “haptic feedback”, the physical cues which allow surgeons to assess tissue and perceive the amount of force applied during surgery.
In keyhole neurosurgery a probe enters a tiny hole in the skull called a burr hole, and manipulates tissue or collects blood and other fluids. Robots can reduce surgeon’s tremor 10-fold, making them especially useful in protecting the delicate and important brain matter. Until now, robots have not been successfully tested for such sophisticated surgery.
There are further robotic surgery plans as a result of this success. A follow-up project called ACTIVE is researching robotic neurosurgery for patients who will remain awake during surgery. Up to three robots (two equipped with sensors and end-effectors to operate and one to actively smooth head movements) are expected to cooperate and assist the surgeon to perform the operation.
It’s impossible to ignore these countless benefits provided by “robotic surgeons” if they can save lives and improve our well being.
How would you feel about being operated on by a robot?
Photo credit: Robocast.
Would it hear if I screamed in pain?
A friend of mine was in a carcrash and shes now told me she needs brain surgery as theres a bit of swelling. When i asked her like the dis -advatages of having this done she said her children if she has any cud have birth defects and also die at a younger age and memory loss. When i ask her how this can cause birth defects she couldnt answer. Can someone please tell me how brain surgery causes your chances of a having a baby with a defect much higher. Oh and what would cause you to die at a younger age.
I suppose the problems with infant mortality and memory loss are caused when you forget to lie down when about to give birth.
How would I feel being operated on by a robot ?
Why … I’d absolutely love it !
Now – is there any chance of them developing a European funded robotic economist to put right the well predicted and unmitigated disaster that the Eurozone has become ?
For you to be screaming in pain that would have to be some cock up, Winchester WHISPERER. Robots are there to eliminate human error.
If this device is to be used to operate on Tourettes patients then I doubt there can be a patient’s voice activated emergency cut-out – otherwise the operation would never get started !
Nice to know. Science and technology is really advance now. Hope to see future soon.