Saturday, December 15, 2007
Introduction
In what is often called the age of biotechnology, robotic devices play their role by being increasingly chosen over traditional surgical techniques. Robotic surgery is showing the potential to be the bedrock of a new era in surgery. As disturbing as it may seem, it is no longer absurd to imagine an operating room of only --no misprint—robots, which are controlled by a single human surgeon (or technician should we say?) from outside the OR. Soon, we may live in a world where Dr. A arrives at his downtown LA clinic, goes over protocol, and performs cardiothoracic surgery on patient B in Bangladesh.
For those who cannot swallow our predictions, we should clarify a few things about robotic surgery. Robots should not be confused with androids. A robot is defined as a computerized system with a motorized construction (usually an arm) capable of interacting with the environment. C3PO and R2-D2 are androids. The Da Vinci surgical system is a robot. You will also learn from our blog that robots do not actually replace human surgeons but merely improve operations through small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery existed long before the first robot. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gall bladder excisions are two procedures guided by a viewing device, typically an endoscope, through a small incision. Robots merely take these, as well as other minimally invasive surgeries to the next level. What they bring to the table (no pun intended) are accurate sensors, improved sterility, faster post-surgical recovery, highly intelligent user interfaces, and high resolution live video of the site of operation.
Though some surgeons claim to have already mastered certain cardiothoracic procedures with robotic devices, we will see that certain disadvantages of robotic surgery are preventing them from replacing human surgeries at this point. The consensus from various doctors and sources seem to indicate that current robotic surgery is on par with, not better, not worse, than human surgery.
Read our blog and join our exploration of the last decade of robotic surgery. We will discuss areas of surgery that robots have already impacted and future outlooks for this rapidly increasing field in medicine.
For those who cannot swallow our predictions, we should clarify a few things about robotic surgery. Robots should not be confused with androids. A robot is defined as a computerized system with a motorized construction (usually an arm) capable of interacting with the environment. C3PO and R2-D2 are androids. The Da Vinci surgical system is a robot. You will also learn from our blog that robots do not actually replace human surgeons but merely improve operations through small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery existed long before the first robot. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gall bladder excisions are two procedures guided by a viewing device, typically an endoscope, through a small incision. Robots merely take these, as well as other minimally invasive surgeries to the next level. What they bring to the table (no pun intended) are accurate sensors, improved sterility, faster post-surgical recovery, highly intelligent user interfaces, and high resolution live video of the site of operation.
Though some surgeons claim to have already mastered certain cardiothoracic procedures with robotic devices, we will see that certain disadvantages of robotic surgery are preventing them from replacing human surgeries at this point. The consensus from various doctors and sources seem to indicate that current robotic surgery is on par with, not better, not worse, than human surgery.
Read our blog and join our exploration of the last decade of robotic surgery. We will discuss areas of surgery that robots have already impacted and future outlooks for this rapidly increasing field in medicine.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Final Thoughts
In 1989 a medical robotic company called Computer Motion Inc. was born and so was surgical robotic technology. Computer Motion had the vision to revolutionize surgery by developing intelligent computerized and robotic systems to make surgeries easier for surgeons, safer for patients, and more efficient and cost effective for operating rooms (“Computer Motions”). Aesop™ was their first robot. It offered a third arm to surgeons and showed off a stable, voice-controlled high resolution endoscope. After several upgrades to the system, in 1998, the Aesop 3000 became the world’s first robot to be cleared by the FDA for surgery. This was just the beginning. Computer Motion went on to release the Hermes Control Center, the highly intelligent operating room as well as Zeus™. Zeus was the first robot used in CABG (1998) and micro-wrist and micro-joint (2001) procedures. In 1995, Intuitive Surgical, Computer Motion’s nemesis was founded. They were “the other” leader in surgical robotics based on technology from Stanford Research Institute (SRI), MIT, and IBM Corporation. They came up with the da Vinci® System, whose success we have documented in various posts. June 2001, BBC released a report that 17 patients at Rome’s Policlinico Casilino University were operated on by US surgeons thousands of miles away via robots. This “telesurgery,” involving 14 laparoscopies and 3 kidney operations was deemed a “success” despite minor complications (“Intercontinental Robotic Surgery”).
Three months later, the Zeus robotic system stunned the entire world by being used to perform a landmark overseas surgery (“Surgeons in US Perform Operation in France via Robot”). The surgeon was in New York City while the gallbladder being removed was in Strausbourg, France. After 54 minutes of surgery without complications, Zeus made a very compelling case for surgical robots.
In 2003, the two giants, Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion, merged. This move to combine the unprecedented technology of the two companies was promised by both CEO’s to produce the best products for patients and surgeons (“March 7, 2003 – Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion Merge”).
Surely, they have kept to their word. Since the merge, there have been many success stories. In 2005, the da Vinci system was used to remove 60% of the patient’s liver, who only needed 2 days to be cleared to go home (“First Robotic Complex Liver Surgery”). December that same year, 20% of all prostatectomy procedures in the US was performed with robots, which proved to be induce less blood loss in patients (“Cutting Edge”).
By this year, 2007, robotic surgery is used for an increasing number of different surgeries. We have documented success stories ranging from complex heart procedures (“Total Endoscopic Repair of A Pediatric Atrial Septic Defect Using the da Vinci Robot and Hypothermic Fibrillation”) to Urological microsurgery (“Robotic Assistance in Urological microsurgery”). In all cases, robotic surgery brags minimal invasiveness via operating with high resolution cameras. Patients enjoy reduced recovery time ( http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1213874957&channel=1184612073) and most notably with cardiothoracic surgeries where the need for a sternumectomy is hurdled by using robots to make extremely precise incisions.
While robotic surgery boasts a variety of accomplishments, there are drawbacks to this technique. The main complaint among surgeons and critics of robotic surgery is the loss of tactile sensation since the surgery isn’t being performed with the surgeons own hands. An extension of this complaint is the lack of haptics in most surgical robotic systems. Haptics is a system that recreates the feel of tissues through force feedback through robotic controls. Another major issue with robotic surgery is cost effectiveness. A typical robotic system costs $1.2-$1.5 million to purchase and a yearly maintenance cost of $100,000.
Regardless of the drawbacks to robotic surgery, it still stands that robotic surgery is the technology of the future. Nothing illustrates the amazing evolution of surgery from its messy inception to the highly sophisticated technological systems of today like robotic surgery does. Robotic surgery has expanded to include neurological, urological, cardiac, orthopedic, and gynecological functions. The benefits of robotic surgery, including but not limited to: less pain, better wound cosmesis, fewer wound complications, shorter hospital stays, and shorter recovery time, are revolutionary. In the near future, "I, Robot" will signify more than a mere movie title for many surgeons around the world.
Three months later, the Zeus robotic system stunned the entire world by being used to perform a landmark overseas surgery (“Surgeons in US Perform Operation in France via Robot”). The surgeon was in New York City while the gallbladder being removed was in Strausbourg, France. After 54 minutes of surgery without complications, Zeus made a very compelling case for surgical robots.
In 2003, the two giants, Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion, merged. This move to combine the unprecedented technology of the two companies was promised by both CEO’s to produce the best products for patients and surgeons (“March 7, 2003 – Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion Merge”).
Surely, they have kept to their word. Since the merge, there have been many success stories. In 2005, the da Vinci system was used to remove 60% of the patient’s liver, who only needed 2 days to be cleared to go home (“First Robotic Complex Liver Surgery”). December that same year, 20% of all prostatectomy procedures in the US was performed with robots, which proved to be induce less blood loss in patients (“Cutting Edge”).
By this year, 2007, robotic surgery is used for an increasing number of different surgeries. We have documented success stories ranging from complex heart procedures (“Total Endoscopic Repair of A Pediatric Atrial Septic Defect Using the da Vinci Robot and Hypothermic Fibrillation”) to Urological microsurgery (“Robotic Assistance in Urological microsurgery”). In all cases, robotic surgery brags minimal invasiveness via operating with high resolution cameras. Patients enjoy reduced recovery time ( http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1213874957&channel=1184612073) and most notably with cardiothoracic surgeries where the need for a sternumectomy is hurdled by using robots to make extremely precise incisions.
While robotic surgery boasts a variety of accomplishments, there are drawbacks to this technique. The main complaint among surgeons and critics of robotic surgery is the loss of tactile sensation since the surgery isn’t being performed with the surgeons own hands. An extension of this complaint is the lack of haptics in most surgical robotic systems. Haptics is a system that recreates the feel of tissues through force feedback through robotic controls. Another major issue with robotic surgery is cost effectiveness. A typical robotic system costs $1.2-$1.5 million to purchase and a yearly maintenance cost of $100,000.
Regardless of the drawbacks to robotic surgery, it still stands that robotic surgery is the technology of the future. Nothing illustrates the amazing evolution of surgery from its messy inception to the highly sophisticated technological systems of today like robotic surgery does. Robotic surgery has expanded to include neurological, urological, cardiac, orthopedic, and gynecological functions. The benefits of robotic surgery, including but not limited to: less pain, better wound cosmesis, fewer wound complications, shorter hospital stays, and shorter recovery time, are revolutionary. In the near future, "I, Robot" will signify more than a mere movie title for many surgeons around the world.
Total endoscopic repair of a pediatric atrial septal defect using the da Vinci robot and hypothermic fibrillation
http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/rapidpdf/icvts.2007.158626v1
Article in Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic
September 10th, 2007
It is known that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. today. While there are several major risk factors that most people know, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, one that is not talked about as much is atrial septal defect [ASD], which affects about 4 in 100,000 people. It is a congenital defect that is essentially an opening in the wall between the right and left atria, leading to inefficient distribution of oxygenated blood.
In this article, we found that the da Vinci surgical robot, mentioned in another article as well, was used to complete the entire operation for ASD repair. While ASD repair is done relatively free of any complications via median sternotomy and cardoplegic arrest, there have still been deaths that have resulted. Additionally, a particularly important goal in many surgeries today is to prevent big, unsightly scars. Lastly, This is where the da Vinci surgical robot comes in with its accurate precision and visualization, as well as a less painful procedure that looks much better afterwards. The article reports that the robotic closure of an ASD in a child was carried out without a sternotomy, thoracotomy, or cardioplegic arrest.
Of course, the robot has faced difficulties with limited space shorter ischemic times, and such for performing surgery on small children, but the article states that alterations were made to the machine and procedure to accommodate these challenges. Using the da Vinci robot for ASD repair is just one of many examples of how robotic surgery has improved a procedure in the medical world.
Article in Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic
September 10th, 2007
It is known that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. today. While there are several major risk factors that most people know, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, one that is not talked about as much is atrial septal defect [ASD], which affects about 4 in 100,000 people. It is a congenital defect that is essentially an opening in the wall between the right and left atria, leading to inefficient distribution of oxygenated blood.
In this article, we found that the da Vinci surgical robot, mentioned in another article as well, was used to complete the entire operation for ASD repair. While ASD repair is done relatively free of any complications via median sternotomy and cardoplegic arrest, there have still been deaths that have resulted. Additionally, a particularly important goal in many surgeries today is to prevent big, unsightly scars. Lastly, This is where the da Vinci surgical robot comes in with its accurate precision and visualization, as well as a less painful procedure that looks much better afterwards. The article reports that the robotic closure of an ASD in a child was carried out without a sternotomy, thoracotomy, or cardioplegic arrest.
Of course, the robot has faced difficulties with limited space shorter ischemic times, and such for performing surgery on small children, but the article states that alterations were made to the machine and procedure to accommodate these challenges. Using the da Vinci robot for ASD repair is just one of many examples of how robotic surgery has improved a procedure in the medical world.
Robotic help at heart of hospital’s initiative; U. of C. hires expert in bypass procedure
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=2&did=1325977841&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1195576194&clientId=7344&cfc=1
Article in Chicago Tribune
August 27th, 2007
From this article, the increasing popularity of robotic surgery not only in hospitals, but also in various medicinal fields, can be seen. While they cost about $1.5 million each, the robot systems are becoming more prevalent, and even though they have been available for only several years now, there are 504 systems in North America and 108 in Europe already. And the machines are being used to do increasingly differing procedures such as coronary bypass surgery.
On that note, an eye-catcher in this article is the segment on coronary angioplasty and the use of stents to keep arteries open, since we specifically learned about these in class. As it was mentioned in class, the article talks about how the use of drug-eluting stents is beginning to raise more and more concerns regarding their safety. Now, more and more people are opting to take the less invasive, robotics approach to bypass procedures. It’s too soon to say that robots are taking over this world, but it’s pretty amazing to see how two separate areas of biotechnology interact in something as specific as clearing up major blocked arteries.
A doctor who has just been hired by University of Chicago’s Medical Center is Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, one of the few experts on robotics surgery when it comes to the heart. While many other doctors were (understandably) too confident and “competent” to learn the skill set required for robotic bypass surgery, Srivastava has performed hundreds of heart valve repairs using the machine. This is coming from a guy who has been 20 years into practice, while the technology for robotics became available five years ago. One of the biggest cited drawbacks of robotics surgery is that it is still a new, emerging field with much research and technological improvement to undergo. But Srivastava has proven that despite that, with practice it’s possible to master something so seemingly difficult and impersonal (doctors don’t get to physically touch feel the arteries, vessels, etc. that they are working on), and it’s sure to make a lot of patients happy.
Article in Chicago Tribune
August 27th, 2007
From this article, the increasing popularity of robotic surgery not only in hospitals, but also in various medicinal fields, can be seen. While they cost about $1.5 million each, the robot systems are becoming more prevalent, and even though they have been available for only several years now, there are 504 systems in North America and 108 in Europe already. And the machines are being used to do increasingly differing procedures such as coronary bypass surgery.
On that note, an eye-catcher in this article is the segment on coronary angioplasty and the use of stents to keep arteries open, since we specifically learned about these in class. As it was mentioned in class, the article talks about how the use of drug-eluting stents is beginning to raise more and more concerns regarding their safety. Now, more and more people are opting to take the less invasive, robotics approach to bypass procedures. It’s too soon to say that robots are taking over this world, but it’s pretty amazing to see how two separate areas of biotechnology interact in something as specific as clearing up major blocked arteries.
A doctor who has just been hired by University of Chicago’s Medical Center is Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, one of the few experts on robotics surgery when it comes to the heart. While many other doctors were (understandably) too confident and “competent” to learn the skill set required for robotic bypass surgery, Srivastava has performed hundreds of heart valve repairs using the machine. This is coming from a guy who has been 20 years into practice, while the technology for robotics became available five years ago. One of the biggest cited drawbacks of robotics surgery is that it is still a new, emerging field with much research and technological improvement to undergo. But Srivastava has proven that despite that, with practice it’s possible to master something so seemingly difficult and impersonal (doctors don’t get to physically touch feel the arteries, vessels, etc. that they are working on), and it’s sure to make a lot of patients happy.
Technologies Tackle Early Stage Prostate Cancer
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2007/08/23/technologies-tackle-early-stage-prostate-cancer.htm
Article in US News
August 23rd, 2007
As a group we are researching all facets of robotic surgery, both positive and negative aspects of the emerging technology. This article, dated August 23, 2007 on the Health Page of USNews.com, addresses new technologies in treating prostate cancer, one of which, is the da Vinci Surgical System. The da Vinci Surgical System is a $1.5 million robot with 4 arms and a high definition, 3D video camera. Its popularity has doubled in within the past 2 years and currently over 650 hospitals are using the robot to assist in urologic, cardiothoracic, and prostatectomy surgeries. The attitude from the article is that robotic surgery is currently just as good as conventional surgeries when it comes to prostate cancers, but has not yet boasted significant additional benefits to prostate cancer patients. The impotence rate and survival rates of prostate cancer patients are the same as standard surgeries. However, according to the author, the da Vinci system has less blood loss during surgery and reduced hospital stays. Maybe for prostate cancer patients this is not huge deal, but surely for cardiac disease patients, this matters a lot more! I then did a search to see the da Vinci Robot in action. Below I have attached links to a video from the University Of Southern California Keck School Of Medicine, where Vaughn Starnes, MD and Mark Cunningham, MD introduce their use of the da Vinci system in micro valve repair surgery. Sure enough, one of the main attractions to patients with cardiac disease is that robotic surgery circumvents the need for a sternumectomy! On the same website are several other videos with the da Vinci system in various other procedures. Caution, not for the weak stomach! The article agrees with what these USC surgeons have to say, which is basically at this point there is no benefit to robotic surgery other than recovery time. However, for cardiothoracic surgeries that could be enough of a reason to choose robotic surgery! However, more research needs to be done to find out what other negative side effects there are to robotic surgery but also, what the ultimate goal with using this technology is.
Other Links:
Cardiothoracic surgeons at USC introduce the da Vinci Robot for mitral valve repair
Robotic Assisted Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation at USC
A cardiothoracic surgeon speaks of the benefits
Article in US News
August 23rd, 2007
As a group we are researching all facets of robotic surgery, both positive and negative aspects of the emerging technology. This article, dated August 23, 2007 on the Health Page of USNews.com, addresses new technologies in treating prostate cancer, one of which, is the da Vinci Surgical System. The da Vinci Surgical System is a $1.5 million robot with 4 arms and a high definition, 3D video camera. Its popularity has doubled in within the past 2 years and currently over 650 hospitals are using the robot to assist in urologic, cardiothoracic, and prostatectomy surgeries. The attitude from the article is that robotic surgery is currently just as good as conventional surgeries when it comes to prostate cancers, but has not yet boasted significant additional benefits to prostate cancer patients. The impotence rate and survival rates of prostate cancer patients are the same as standard surgeries. However, according to the author, the da Vinci system has less blood loss during surgery and reduced hospital stays. Maybe for prostate cancer patients this is not huge deal, but surely for cardiac disease patients, this matters a lot more! I then did a search to see the da Vinci Robot in action. Below I have attached links to a video from the University Of Southern California Keck School Of Medicine, where Vaughn Starnes, MD and Mark Cunningham, MD introduce their use of the da Vinci system in micro valve repair surgery. Sure enough, one of the main attractions to patients with cardiac disease is that robotic surgery circumvents the need for a sternumectomy! On the same website are several other videos with the da Vinci system in various other procedures. Caution, not for the weak stomach! The article agrees with what these USC surgeons have to say, which is basically at this point there is no benefit to robotic surgery other than recovery time. However, for cardiothoracic surgeries that could be enough of a reason to choose robotic surgery! However, more research needs to be done to find out what other negative side effects there are to robotic surgery but also, what the ultimate goal with using this technology is.
Other Links:
Cardiothoracic surgeons at USC introduce the da Vinci Robot for mitral valve repair
Robotic Assisted Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation at USC
A cardiothoracic surgeon speaks of the benefits
Robotic Assistance in Urological Microsurgery
http://www.springerlink.com/content/yt36507371120461/fulltext.html
Article in Journal of Robotic Surgery
May 30th, 2007
“Robotic assistance in urological microsurgery: initial report of a successful in-vivo robot-assisted vasovasostomy” appears in the July 2007 volume of The Journal of Robotic Surgery. The article is a case study where robotic surgery was used for urological microsurgery. More specifically, it is a case study of a single microscope-assisted vasovasostomy, which is the restoration of fertility after a pervious vasectomy. The surgery was conducted in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, in Alsat, Belgium.
The patient involved in the study is a 34-year old man who is interested in restoring fertility after having a vasectomy. The robotic device utilized for this surgery was the da Vinci robot. This robotic device was introduced to urological surgery seven years ago for more precise tissue dissection. However, now the use of this device is being expanded to include microsurgery in urology. Usually this device is used in corneal and plastic surgery. In this particular case, the main advantages of the da Vinci system were the 3D view, 30 times the magnification, detail suture placement but the main advantage is the elimination of tremor during surgery. The major disadvantage however is the loss of tactile sensation but this can be overcome by careful understanding of visual cues, such as suture stretching, to evaluate the surgical process. This particular surgery shows that robotic vasovasostomy is technically feasible and has a promising future in urological microsurgery.
This article is published in a very specialized journal, which focuses on only robotic surgery information and case studies. It doesn’t have much of an effect on the general public because of the scope of the publication but it does affect the surgeons, healthcare professionals, professors and students who subscribe to this publication. The information in this case study is very novel, hence, there are no contradictory studies on robotic urological microsurgery. However, since this is a singular case study there is a need for further research on the efficacy of robotic urological surgery. While this study contends that less experienced surgeons would have a better experience with robotics assisted surgery as opposed to microscope assisted surgery, this conclusion is based on the assumption that the surgeon has a general knowledge of robotic surgery, however since robotic surgery is a relatively novel concept in urological surgery , this knowledge isn’t very common. The main contribution of this case study is knowledge that the use of a common robotic surgical instrument can be used in a surgical field where robotic surgery is very rare. Since this article is a specific study, it only allows the reader a very isolated view of robotic surgery. However, this isolated view allows the reader to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery in the context of a single case. This understanding leads to a solid base of knowledge that the reader can subsequently expand on in future research.
Article in Journal of Robotic Surgery
May 30th, 2007
“Robotic assistance in urological microsurgery: initial report of a successful in-vivo robot-assisted vasovasostomy” appears in the July 2007 volume of The Journal of Robotic Surgery. The article is a case study where robotic surgery was used for urological microsurgery. More specifically, it is a case study of a single microscope-assisted vasovasostomy, which is the restoration of fertility after a pervious vasectomy. The surgery was conducted in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, in Alsat, Belgium.
The patient involved in the study is a 34-year old man who is interested in restoring fertility after having a vasectomy. The robotic device utilized for this surgery was the da Vinci robot. This robotic device was introduced to urological surgery seven years ago for more precise tissue dissection. However, now the use of this device is being expanded to include microsurgery in urology. Usually this device is used in corneal and plastic surgery. In this particular case, the main advantages of the da Vinci system were the 3D view, 30 times the magnification, detail suture placement but the main advantage is the elimination of tremor during surgery. The major disadvantage however is the loss of tactile sensation but this can be overcome by careful understanding of visual cues, such as suture stretching, to evaluate the surgical process. This particular surgery shows that robotic vasovasostomy is technically feasible and has a promising future in urological microsurgery.
This article is published in a very specialized journal, which focuses on only robotic surgery information and case studies. It doesn’t have much of an effect on the general public because of the scope of the publication but it does affect the surgeons, healthcare professionals, professors and students who subscribe to this publication. The information in this case study is very novel, hence, there are no contradictory studies on robotic urological microsurgery. However, since this is a singular case study there is a need for further research on the efficacy of robotic urological surgery. While this study contends that less experienced surgeons would have a better experience with robotics assisted surgery as opposed to microscope assisted surgery, this conclusion is based on the assumption that the surgeon has a general knowledge of robotic surgery, however since robotic surgery is a relatively novel concept in urological surgery , this knowledge isn’t very common. The main contribution of this case study is knowledge that the use of a common robotic surgical instrument can be used in a surgical field where robotic surgery is very rare. Since this article is a specific study, it only allows the reader a very isolated view of robotic surgery. However, this isolated view allows the reader to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery in the context of a single case. This understanding leads to a solid base of knowledge that the reader can subsequently expand on in future research.
Da Vinci Makes the Cut
http://www.lexisnexis.com.revproxy.brown.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?risb=21_T2479674183&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T2479674189&cisb=22_T2479674188&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=151977&docNo=12
Article in New Straits Times
April 11th, 2006
We knew that robotic surgery was an emerging field, but we weren’t really clear on what components actually make up a robotic system and how it functions. This article that we found focused on the only robotic system to get approved for any surgery as of late 2005, the da Vinci robotic system, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2000. Other robotic systems may have been approved more recently, and thus we will continue to look for new robotic systems.
This article provided us with valuable information about the da Vinci. Interestingly enough, it was first developed for Nasa, but now it is commonly used for prostratectomy, and is approved for other urological, gynaecological, and cardiothoraric surgeries.
The way it works is that a surgeon is able to operate a set of controls with his hands and feet that works the small-scaled instruments, which have advanced surgical instruments and cameras attached to them. Thus, these micro-movements not only provide precision and dexterity, but also a minimally invasive surgical procedure, meaning less blood, pain, and a shorter recovery time. Furthermore, a robotic system provides one solution to the sanitation that is a big problem during surgeries.
These benefits, as well as others such as reduced operation time and the fact that the da Vinci can be a valuable teaching tool for surgical fellows, have many doctors excited about the upcoming field of robotic surgery. One downfall involves a malfunctioning of the machine, which one doctor says can be easily bypassed since doctors can stop the machine and perform the surgery themselves.
Article in New Straits Times
April 11th, 2006
We knew that robotic surgery was an emerging field, but we weren’t really clear on what components actually make up a robotic system and how it functions. This article that we found focused on the only robotic system to get approved for any surgery as of late 2005, the da Vinci robotic system, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2000. Other robotic systems may have been approved more recently, and thus we will continue to look for new robotic systems.
This article provided us with valuable information about the da Vinci. Interestingly enough, it was first developed for Nasa, but now it is commonly used for prostratectomy, and is approved for other urological, gynaecological, and cardiothoraric surgeries.
The way it works is that a surgeon is able to operate a set of controls with his hands and feet that works the small-scaled instruments, which have advanced surgical instruments and cameras attached to them. Thus, these micro-movements not only provide precision and dexterity, but also a minimally invasive surgical procedure, meaning less blood, pain, and a shorter recovery time. Furthermore, a robotic system provides one solution to the sanitation that is a big problem during surgeries.
These benefits, as well as others such as reduced operation time and the fact that the da Vinci can be a valuable teaching tool for surgical fellows, have many doctors excited about the upcoming field of robotic surgery. One downfall involves a malfunctioning of the machine, which one doctor says can be easily bypassed since doctors can stop the machine and perform the surgery themselves.
Cutting Edge
http://www.newsweek.com/id/51510/page/1
Newsweek
December 19th, 2005
This article discussed the role of robotic surgery in prostatectomy and how it has dramatically improved the surgical procedure. Currently, 20% of all US prostatecomies is done with robots. In a 2003 study of 300 patients published in the British Journal of Urology, patients who receive conventional prostatecomies lost 5 times as much blood, had 4 times as much risk of complications, and remained in the hospital 3 times as long compared to those who receive robot-assisted prostatecomies. Many of the problems associated with prostatecomies happen after the surgery including loss of urinary and sexual function. Patients who received robotic surgery regained urinary function in about a month and a half which was 4 times as fast as conventional prostatectomy patients. These patients were also able to have sexual intercourse again in about 11 months as opposed to the 2 years it would take with conventional prostatecomies. This article is a major breakthrough for the proponents of robotic surgery because it supports the assertion that robotic surgery boasts significant additional benefits to prostate cancer patients. The article is the first case in which evidence has been provided to support the claims of benefits over conventional surgical procedures and claims that robotic surgery vastly improves the quality of life of patients. In terms of blood loss, risk of complications, and hospital stays, robotic prostatecomies boast dramatic improvements over conventional prostatecomies. Another study conducted by Dr. Thomas Ahlering of University of California Irvine Medical Center confirmed the findings of the study published in the British Journal of Urology.
Newsweek
December 19th, 2005
This article discussed the role of robotic surgery in prostatectomy and how it has dramatically improved the surgical procedure. Currently, 20% of all US prostatecomies is done with robots. In a 2003 study of 300 patients published in the British Journal of Urology, patients who receive conventional prostatecomies lost 5 times as much blood, had 4 times as much risk of complications, and remained in the hospital 3 times as long compared to those who receive robot-assisted prostatecomies. Many of the problems associated with prostatecomies happen after the surgery including loss of urinary and sexual function. Patients who received robotic surgery regained urinary function in about a month and a half which was 4 times as fast as conventional prostatectomy patients. These patients were also able to have sexual intercourse again in about 11 months as opposed to the 2 years it would take with conventional prostatecomies. This article is a major breakthrough for the proponents of robotic surgery because it supports the assertion that robotic surgery boasts significant additional benefits to prostate cancer patients. The article is the first case in which evidence has been provided to support the claims of benefits over conventional surgical procedures and claims that robotic surgery vastly improves the quality of life of patients. In terms of blood loss, risk of complications, and hospital stays, robotic prostatecomies boast dramatic improvements over conventional prostatecomies. Another study conducted by Dr. Thomas Ahlering of University of California Irvine Medical Center confirmed the findings of the study published in the British Journal of Urology.
Robots Invading the Operating Room
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3403901/
Article in CNBC
November 5th, 2005
This article talks about how we have entered the robotic era of surgery and discusses the positive merits of robotic surgery. Introducing the only robotic surgery system currently avaliable on the market, the Da Vinci, the article talks about the many benefits of this system including increased surgical precision and quicker recovery time for patients. Avoiding the massive incisions of traditional “open” operations, the Da Vinci is able to perform surgery by making small incisions the diameter of a pencil and inserting cameras. Doctors are then able to manipulate the robotic arms of the system from a cockpit console displaying 3D video of the operation. The Da Vinci machine has already been used in many surgical procedures including prostate removal, gastric bypass surgery, and to repair the esophagus of chronic heartburn patients. Currently the system is waiting for approval from the FDA for heart bypass surgery. While the article cites many benefits of the Da Vinci system it also presents some negative aspects of the system. For one the price is not cheap. The purchase price for the machine costs $1 million and this is not including the annual maintenance and training for the system, which amounts to additional hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Hospitals are hesitant to spend so much money mainly because insurance companies are wondering if the technology is worth it. Do we really need this type of technology? Is it really that great of an advance over our current surgical procedures? Outfitting hospitals in the United States with robotic surgery will costs millions of dollars and will be a recurring cost. As Dr. Wayne Poll, a private practice surgeon, states, “Some of what’s happening in robotics is that it’s sexy… And patients not really knowing the difference- just wanting the most advanced technology.” As with any new technology, the innovation and wow factor amazes us but in the end we have to ask ourselves is the technology necessary and reasonable. The current major problem in the American healthcare system is not the surgical procedures we are performing, it is the millions of Americans that aren’t insured. Should we really be spending our money on new technology that may not be necessary or should we be trying to spend our money on getting the uninsured insured?
Article in CNBC
November 5th, 2005
This article talks about how we have entered the robotic era of surgery and discusses the positive merits of robotic surgery. Introducing the only robotic surgery system currently avaliable on the market, the Da Vinci, the article talks about the many benefits of this system including increased surgical precision and quicker recovery time for patients. Avoiding the massive incisions of traditional “open” operations, the Da Vinci is able to perform surgery by making small incisions the diameter of a pencil and inserting cameras. Doctors are then able to manipulate the robotic arms of the system from a cockpit console displaying 3D video of the operation. The Da Vinci machine has already been used in many surgical procedures including prostate removal, gastric bypass surgery, and to repair the esophagus of chronic heartburn patients. Currently the system is waiting for approval from the FDA for heart bypass surgery. While the article cites many benefits of the Da Vinci system it also presents some negative aspects of the system. For one the price is not cheap. The purchase price for the machine costs $1 million and this is not including the annual maintenance and training for the system, which amounts to additional hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Hospitals are hesitant to spend so much money mainly because insurance companies are wondering if the technology is worth it. Do we really need this type of technology? Is it really that great of an advance over our current surgical procedures? Outfitting hospitals in the United States with robotic surgery will costs millions of dollars and will be a recurring cost. As Dr. Wayne Poll, a private practice surgeon, states, “Some of what’s happening in robotics is that it’s sexy… And patients not really knowing the difference- just wanting the most advanced technology.” As with any new technology, the innovation and wow factor amazes us but in the end we have to ask ourselves is the technology necessary and reasonable. The current major problem in the American healthcare system is not the surgical procedures we are performing, it is the millions of Americans that aren’t insured. Should we really be spending our money on new technology that may not be necessary or should we be trying to spend our money on getting the uninsured insured?
First Robotic Complex Liver Surgery
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/22589.php
Article in Medical News Today
April 9th, 2005
This article discusses the first fully robotic complex liver surgery. The surgery utilized the da Vinci robotic surgery system, which is the most common robotic surgical system. The patient in this case was suffering from a large benign tumor about five inches in diameter. The surgeons made five different 1 cm long incisions in her stomach and inserted the robotic arms to complete the surgery. About 60% of her liver was removed, as well as the tumor. This surgery was very sucessful and the patient was allowed to go home 48 hours later.
The fact that such a complex procedure was done using robotic surgery is a huge milestone. This procedure saved the patient an open abdominal surgery, an eight-inch scar and a prolonged recovery. Also, robotic surgery’s other strong benefits include: less blood loss, faster recovery, less scarring and reduced post-operative pain. Robotic surgery has only recently started being used for more complex procedures, as before it was used for various minimally invasive procedures. The device used, the da Vinci robotic system, is a very versatile system. It can be used for heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and prostate robotic surgeries.
This article is interesting because it shows the evolution of robotic surgery into more complex procedures. Robotic surgery is starting to expand into many different areas of surgery, and is being shown to be sucessful in all the new arenas it covers. This article shows that robotic surgery in the field of liver surgery has great promise. Using robotic surgery for complex surgeries carries a great benefit because it allows very invasive surgeries to evolve into minimally invasive surgeries. Hopefully, there will be more sucessful and varied surgeries using robotic devices in the future.
Article in Medical News Today
April 9th, 2005
This article discusses the first fully robotic complex liver surgery. The surgery utilized the da Vinci robotic surgery system, which is the most common robotic surgical system. The patient in this case was suffering from a large benign tumor about five inches in diameter. The surgeons made five different 1 cm long incisions in her stomach and inserted the robotic arms to complete the surgery. About 60% of her liver was removed, as well as the tumor. This surgery was very sucessful and the patient was allowed to go home 48 hours later.
The fact that such a complex procedure was done using robotic surgery is a huge milestone. This procedure saved the patient an open abdominal surgery, an eight-inch scar and a prolonged recovery. Also, robotic surgery’s other strong benefits include: less blood loss, faster recovery, less scarring and reduced post-operative pain. Robotic surgery has only recently started being used for more complex procedures, as before it was used for various minimally invasive procedures. The device used, the da Vinci robotic system, is a very versatile system. It can be used for heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and prostate robotic surgeries.
This article is interesting because it shows the evolution of robotic surgery into more complex procedures. Robotic surgery is starting to expand into many different areas of surgery, and is being shown to be sucessful in all the new arenas it covers. This article shows that robotic surgery in the field of liver surgery has great promise. Using robotic surgery for complex surgeries carries a great benefit because it allows very invasive surgeries to evolve into minimally invasive surgeries. Hopefully, there will be more sucessful and varied surgeries using robotic devices in the future.
Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion Merge
http://trueforce.com/News/ComputerMotionNews/Computermotion20030307.htm
Article in Computer Motion News
March 7th, 2003
Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion today merged into one company that combines their strengths in operative surgical robotics. Before the merge, these two companies were the unprecedented giants of robotic surgery. “Both of our companies have made tremendous contributions to medicine by delivering less-invasive surgery with surgical robotics,” said Intuitive Surgical President and CEO Lonnie Smith. “By combining…technology and talents, we believe we will be able to provide surgeons and hospitals with the best possible products and support to serve their patients’ needs in minimally invasive surgery.” Intuitive Surgical’s da VinciTM and Computer Motion’s ZEUS® surgical system platforms would be used in new developments.
Robert Duggan, Chairman and CEO of Computer Motion promised that a collaborative effort will offer benefits to patients that competing efforts would not. He claims that sharing technology in networking, articulation, and control and visualization will be able to upgrade both the da Vinci and Zeus products to make surgery even less invasive.
This article marks an extremely important day in the world of robotic surgery. The merge of Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion seems to almost guarantee faster developments in minimally invasive robotic surgery. Reiterating what was said by Robert Duggan, the effort now can be focused on developing better products as opposed to competing with each other. The merge can also lower the cost of the products to make these robots more attractive to hospitals.
Surely, that was the case. In 2004, the year ensuing the merge, the total sale was $138.8 million (51% increase from 2003) with a total revenue of $60 million. More systems were being installed in hospitals. Just in 2004 alone, 76 da Vinci systems, each costing $1.5 million were sold.
Nevertheless, some promises are still not upheld and it will be very interesting to see when things change. Now over 3 years after the merge, other than an increase in sales there seems to be only modest improvements. The cost of a da Vinci device is still 1.5 million dollars and has yet to show significant decline since the merge. Also, since the merge, the only new FDA approved innovation is in the field of gynecological laparoscopic procedures. The robots used for these procedures however, are still essentially the same.
So, this article marked a very important day in robotic surgery where the two major oligopolies of the industry merged. The merge promised new innovations and further developments in robotic surgery. However, in our opinion, in terms of the devices used in the operating room, not much has changed since then. Certain procedures may have been refined but the overall technology has lagged. This may prove to be one of the main problems with robotic surgery today. As we know, the benefits and disadvantages of robotic surgery essentially cancel out at this point. Robotic surgery today is about the same as manual surgery in terms of effectiveness. Surely now that Intuitive Surgical Inc. has access to technology from Computer Motion, we should expect the developments of more efficient robots and robots used in a wider range of surgeries in the near future. Even though this has not necessarily been the case in the past 4 years, it should still be noted that sales of their products have increased and the popularity of robotic surgery has also increased. Now we simply await the arrival of new robots.
Article in Computer Motion News
March 7th, 2003
Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion today merged into one company that combines their strengths in operative surgical robotics. Before the merge, these two companies were the unprecedented giants of robotic surgery. “Both of our companies have made tremendous contributions to medicine by delivering less-invasive surgery with surgical robotics,” said Intuitive Surgical President and CEO Lonnie Smith. “By combining…technology and talents, we believe we will be able to provide surgeons and hospitals with the best possible products and support to serve their patients’ needs in minimally invasive surgery.” Intuitive Surgical’s da VinciTM and Computer Motion’s ZEUS® surgical system platforms would be used in new developments.
Robert Duggan, Chairman and CEO of Computer Motion promised that a collaborative effort will offer benefits to patients that competing efforts would not. He claims that sharing technology in networking, articulation, and control and visualization will be able to upgrade both the da Vinci and Zeus products to make surgery even less invasive.
This article marks an extremely important day in the world of robotic surgery. The merge of Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion seems to almost guarantee faster developments in minimally invasive robotic surgery. Reiterating what was said by Robert Duggan, the effort now can be focused on developing better products as opposed to competing with each other. The merge can also lower the cost of the products to make these robots more attractive to hospitals.
Surely, that was the case. In 2004, the year ensuing the merge, the total sale was $138.8 million (51% increase from 2003) with a total revenue of $60 million. More systems were being installed in hospitals. Just in 2004 alone, 76 da Vinci systems, each costing $1.5 million were sold.
Nevertheless, some promises are still not upheld and it will be very interesting to see when things change. Now over 3 years after the merge, other than an increase in sales there seems to be only modest improvements. The cost of a da Vinci device is still 1.5 million dollars and has yet to show significant decline since the merge. Also, since the merge, the only new FDA approved innovation is in the field of gynecological laparoscopic procedures. The robots used for these procedures however, are still essentially the same.
So, this article marked a very important day in robotic surgery where the two major oligopolies of the industry merged. The merge promised new innovations and further developments in robotic surgery. However, in our opinion, in terms of the devices used in the operating room, not much has changed since then. Certain procedures may have been refined but the overall technology has lagged. This may prove to be one of the main problems with robotic surgery today. As we know, the benefits and disadvantages of robotic surgery essentially cancel out at this point. Robotic surgery today is about the same as manual surgery in terms of effectiveness. Surely now that Intuitive Surgical Inc. has access to technology from Computer Motion, we should expect the developments of more efficient robots and robots used in a wider range of surgeries in the near future. Even though this has not necessarily been the case in the past 4 years, it should still be noted that sales of their products have increased and the popularity of robotic surgery has also increased. Now we simply await the arrival of new robots.
Computer Motion (Nasdaq-RBOT)
http://www.smallcapreview.com/rbot.htm
Article in smallcappreview.com
Up until now, our research seems to indicate that the current world of robotic surgery is dominated by Intuitive Surgical Inc. and their robot known as the da Vinci robot. In order to better understand robotic surgery as a whole and not just the da Vinci system, we researched other robots that are either currently being used in surgery or have the potential to be used in the operating room in the near future.
The following article is a market review of Computer Motion Inc. (RBOT), which the article claims to be the “leader in medical robotics.” This article must have been slightly out of date because Intuitive Surgical Inc., after a 4-year legal power struggle, bought Computer Motion Inc. and currently markets the following products that the article promotes.
AESOP® was RBOT’s first robot. It is a voice-controlled endoscope-positioning robot. It imitates the form and function of a human arm has many benefits in an operating room. Operated by verbal commands, there is no need for other staff members to manually position the camera. At the same time, the video is very stable. The AESOP 3000 was the world’s first FDA-cleared robot that is capable in assisting in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgeries.
The Hermes Control Center is the centralized system used to network an intelligent operating room. It allows the OR to be highly automated, more productive, better suiting the needs of patients and surgeons. The HERMES platform allows surgeons to operate tables, lights, cameras, and other surgical equipments by voice commands or hand-held touch screens from within the sterile operating field. This is a huge upgrade from using nurses or surgical assistants to constantly check the status of devices outside the sterile operating field. The entire OR staff can now focus on the patient as opposed to these devices.
The Zeus Robotic Surgical System is essentially RBOT’s version of the da Vinci system. It is designed to make incisions with tools that can be the diameter of a pencil tip. It provides a camera to allow surgeons to view the operation in 2D or 3D. Surgery is viewed by the surgeon via a monitor and controlled by instrument handles to eliminate hand tremor and reduces surgeon fatigue to ultimately make the entire surgery minimally invasive for the patients.
This article was very important in our understanding of robotic surgery. Firstly, it confirms our suspicion that the da Vinci Surgical System is not the only marketed and available robot in OR’s. This is slightly comforting because healthy competition in an industry always leads to better products. However, now that Intuitive Surgical Inc. has bought Computer Motion Inc., it will be interesting to see if a combined effort will catalyze the development of better robots.
Secondly, the article shows us that robotic surgery is more than simply finer tools and controls used to make precise incisions. Computer Motion’s products show us that robots are also used to develop highly intelligent operating room platforms for all surgeries, even manual ones, to go more smoothly.
Article in smallcappreview.com
Up until now, our research seems to indicate that the current world of robotic surgery is dominated by Intuitive Surgical Inc. and their robot known as the da Vinci robot. In order to better understand robotic surgery as a whole and not just the da Vinci system, we researched other robots that are either currently being used in surgery or have the potential to be used in the operating room in the near future.
The following article is a market review of Computer Motion Inc. (RBOT), which the article claims to be the “leader in medical robotics.” This article must have been slightly out of date because Intuitive Surgical Inc., after a 4-year legal power struggle, bought Computer Motion Inc. and currently markets the following products that the article promotes.
AESOP® was RBOT’s first robot. It is a voice-controlled endoscope-positioning robot. It imitates the form and function of a human arm has many benefits in an operating room. Operated by verbal commands, there is no need for other staff members to manually position the camera. At the same time, the video is very stable. The AESOP 3000 was the world’s first FDA-cleared robot that is capable in assisting in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgeries.
The Hermes Control Center is the centralized system used to network an intelligent operating room. It allows the OR to be highly automated, more productive, better suiting the needs of patients and surgeons. The HERMES platform allows surgeons to operate tables, lights, cameras, and other surgical equipments by voice commands or hand-held touch screens from within the sterile operating field. This is a huge upgrade from using nurses or surgical assistants to constantly check the status of devices outside the sterile operating field. The entire OR staff can now focus on the patient as opposed to these devices.
The Zeus Robotic Surgical System is essentially RBOT’s version of the da Vinci system. It is designed to make incisions with tools that can be the diameter of a pencil tip. It provides a camera to allow surgeons to view the operation in 2D or 3D. Surgery is viewed by the surgeon via a monitor and controlled by instrument handles to eliminate hand tremor and reduces surgeon fatigue to ultimately make the entire surgery minimally invasive for the patients.
This article was very important in our understanding of robotic surgery. Firstly, it confirms our suspicion that the da Vinci Surgical System is not the only marketed and available robot in OR’s. This is slightly comforting because healthy competition in an industry always leads to better products. However, now that Intuitive Surgical Inc. has bought Computer Motion Inc., it will be interesting to see if a combined effort will catalyze the development of better robots.
Secondly, the article shows us that robotic surgery is more than simply finer tools and controls used to make precise incisions. Computer Motion’s products show us that robots are also used to develop highly intelligent operating room platforms for all surgeries, even manual ones, to go more smoothly.
Surgeons in U.S. Perform Operation in France Via Robot
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0919_robotsurgery.html
Article in National Geographic News
September 19th, 2001
This article discusses a medical landmark: a surgery, done in two different countries, by simply using a remote control. For this surgery, the surgeons were in New York City while the patient, whose gallbladder was being removed, was in Strasbourg, France. The surgeons used the ZEUS robotic system to complete this surgery, which consisted of robotic arms wielding a camera used to view the internal organs and two other robotic arms holding the actual surgical instruments to perform the operation. The surgery was successful after 54 minutes, and the patient had no complications.
The article emphasizes that while this is a huge medical advance in laproscopic surgery, the robotic tool utilized is not a “smart machine” it is only a tool which is guided by trained surgeons. While this surgery was successful, there are still technical issues that need to be addressed. The major issue is the time lag in transmission of signals from the surgeon's console to the operating room and back; for this particular surgery the time lag was 330 milliseconds, which was sufficiently safe to allow the surgeon to correctly and safely complete the procedure. The new technological advancements in this field will have to focus on
This successful surgery is a first step to eventually having an interconnected, telecollaborative surgery network without any borders. As the technology expands, the hope is that this type of surgery will be used for telementoring, teaching, and performing rare surgery. Also, as technology becomes portable, it will hopefully be utilized in disaster sites, battlefields, and developing countries where no surgeons are present. Surgeons are “hopeful that the new technology will help raise health standards around the world and make medical expertise more widely available.”
The article, published in National Geographic, has a far-reaching effect on many different audiences. This article discusses a monumental achievement that is the starting ground for exponential expansion of surgical availability around the world. It also emphasizes the technological advances that need to be made in order to improve and expand telecollaborative robotic surgery. This article both illustrates the many amazing effects that robotic surgery can have in the future while also demonstrating how far robotic surgery has come since its in inception in the late 80’s.
Article in National Geographic News
September 19th, 2001
This article discusses a medical landmark: a surgery, done in two different countries, by simply using a remote control. For this surgery, the surgeons were in New York City while the patient, whose gallbladder was being removed, was in Strasbourg, France. The surgeons used the ZEUS robotic system to complete this surgery, which consisted of robotic arms wielding a camera used to view the internal organs and two other robotic arms holding the actual surgical instruments to perform the operation. The surgery was successful after 54 minutes, and the patient had no complications.
The article emphasizes that while this is a huge medical advance in laproscopic surgery, the robotic tool utilized is not a “smart machine” it is only a tool which is guided by trained surgeons. While this surgery was successful, there are still technical issues that need to be addressed. The major issue is the time lag in transmission of signals from the surgeon's console to the operating room and back; for this particular surgery the time lag was 330 milliseconds, which was sufficiently safe to allow the surgeon to correctly and safely complete the procedure. The new technological advancements in this field will have to focus on
This successful surgery is a first step to eventually having an interconnected, telecollaborative surgery network without any borders. As the technology expands, the hope is that this type of surgery will be used for telementoring, teaching, and performing rare surgery. Also, as technology becomes portable, it will hopefully be utilized in disaster sites, battlefields, and developing countries where no surgeons are present. Surgeons are “hopeful that the new technology will help raise health standards around the world and make medical expertise more widely available.”
The article, published in National Geographic, has a far-reaching effect on many different audiences. This article discusses a monumental achievement that is the starting ground for exponential expansion of surgical availability around the world. It also emphasizes the technological advances that need to be made in order to improve and expand telecollaborative robotic surgery. This article both illustrates the many amazing effects that robotic surgery can have in the future while also demonstrating how far robotic surgery has come since its in inception in the late 80’s.
Intercontinental Robot Surgery
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1370875.stm
Article in BBC News
June 5th, 2001
Doctors have been able to control robotic surgery systems such as the Da Vinci, thousands of miles away and perform “telesurgery” on patients anywhere in the world. This article is the first to document an instance in which “telesurgery” was actually performed. 17 patients undergoing surgery at Rome’s Policlinico Casilino University benefited from the “telesurgery” performed by US doctors. The US doctors used a combination of computers, telecommunications, video conferencing, and surgical robots to perform surgery on patients thousands of miles away. 14 of the patients underwent laparoscopies and three others underwent surgery on the kidneys. In several of the procedures, telesurgical connection was actually stopped and doctors at the primary site finished the operation.
While this article showcases the possibility of “telesurgery” with surgical robots it reveals one of the glaring complications that could show up with “telesurgery”. “Telesurgery” depends wholly on technology and we must ask ourselves is this technology reliable enough for us to risk a human life with? I understand the many benefits of “telesurgery” including not having to travel to get operated on by a famous specialist and doctors being able to perform more surgeries, helping more people; but I seriously question the fact that we are placing human lives totally in the hands of technology. There are many things that can go wrong with such advanced technology and this was seen in the article when the telesurgical concoction actually got cut off and the surgery had to be continued by doctors in the operating room. Telesurgery raises many questions. How can we ensure that the connection between the doctor at the helm and the surgical robot is reliable? How do we ensure that what the doctor is telling the robot to do the robot is actually performing? And when something goes wrong who do we blame? The doctor who is controlling the robot thousands of miles away or the robot who is actually performing the surgery? We must first answer all these questions before we even think about putting telesurgery into widespread use.
Article in BBC News
June 5th, 2001
Doctors have been able to control robotic surgery systems such as the Da Vinci, thousands of miles away and perform “telesurgery” on patients anywhere in the world. This article is the first to document an instance in which “telesurgery” was actually performed. 17 patients undergoing surgery at Rome’s Policlinico Casilino University benefited from the “telesurgery” performed by US doctors. The US doctors used a combination of computers, telecommunications, video conferencing, and surgical robots to perform surgery on patients thousands of miles away. 14 of the patients underwent laparoscopies and three others underwent surgery on the kidneys. In several of the procedures, telesurgical connection was actually stopped and doctors at the primary site finished the operation.
While this article showcases the possibility of “telesurgery” with surgical robots it reveals one of the glaring complications that could show up with “telesurgery”. “Telesurgery” depends wholly on technology and we must ask ourselves is this technology reliable enough for us to risk a human life with? I understand the many benefits of “telesurgery” including not having to travel to get operated on by a famous specialist and doctors being able to perform more surgeries, helping more people; but I seriously question the fact that we are placing human lives totally in the hands of technology. There are many things that can go wrong with such advanced technology and this was seen in the article when the telesurgical concoction actually got cut off and the surgery had to be continued by doctors in the operating room. Telesurgery raises many questions. How can we ensure that the connection between the doctor at the helm and the surgical robot is reliable? How do we ensure that what the doctor is telling the robot to do the robot is actually performing? And when something goes wrong who do we blame? The doctor who is controlling the robot thousands of miles away or the robot who is actually performing the surgery? We must first answer all these questions before we even think about putting telesurgery into widespread use.
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