Medical Robotics

Medical Robotics

INTRODUCTION

Robotic Technology:

Robotics is the science of designing and building robots suitable for real-life application in automated manufacturing and other non-manufacturing environments. Robots are the means of performing multifarious activities for man’s welfare in the most planned and integrated manner.

Definition: -

The definition that has been accepted as reasonable in the present state-of-the art is given by Robotics Industrial Association in Nov., 1979. An industrial robot has been defined as

“…A reprogrammable multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.”

Medical Robotics:-

“Branch of robotics technology which deals with the study, planning, analysis, controlling, and designing of robots for medical application.”

Throughout the world, there are robots in operating rooms. These robots--the first generation of more complex devices to come--tirelessly aid surgeons with the tiny, steady, and precise motions it takes to repair a vein or a heart valve. While robotic devices will never replace surgeons, the day will come in the relatively near future when they will precisely positioned surgical tools, aid surgeons in performing delicate operations which are not possible with current techniques, and even allow an earth-bound surgeon to operate on an astronaut in space.

Robotic devices are currently used for a variety of heart surgeries, gall bladder surgery, and prostate surgery, surgery to correct gastro esophageal reflux, joint replacement, gastric bypass, and fallopian-tube reconnection. The major uses today focus on minimally invasive surgery that uses the smallest incisions possible in order to reduce the stress on the patient and provide a speedy recovery. Cameras serve as the surgeon’s eyes while the robots serve as the hands.

The first active robotic device used in medical application by Integrated Surgical Systems is ‘ROBODOC’, a computer-controlled device with specialized drill bits for preparing bones for prosthetic implants. It was first used for a hip replacement operation in 1992.Since then, robotic devices have evolved into the latest tools in the trend toward minimally invasive surgery. In the late 1980s, pioneering surgeons began putting television cameras into small incisions and using long-handled operating tools through other small incisions to operate guided by the television image. Called laparoscopic surgery, over the next decade this procedure became the norm for many conditions. Most gallbladder procedures today are done laparoscopically. A similar approach revolutionized orthopedic surgery for some joint conditions, saving the careers of athletes and shortening recovery time for most patients.

Tiny incisions have significant benefits for patients, including recovery time in weeks rather than months, and less pain, scarring, and blood loss. For the surgeon, however, doing precision surgery with currently available laparoscopic tools is difficult, and not precise enough for working on tiny blood vessels.

At the time, there was a lot of anxiety about rising health-care costs. In industry, robots are traditionally used to improve quality and reduce costs. Then ‘Why don’t we apply robotics to medicine?’

Most investigators think aging is the result of a number of inter-related molecular processes and malfunctions in cells. Thus nanorobot can learn to reverse most cellular malfunctions, middle-aged and even elderly people should be able to regain most of their youthful health, strength and beauty, and to enjoy an almost indefinite extension of life.

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