Your next surgery… performed by a Chinese robot doctor
If you'd have told this to a doctor even ten years ago they'd have either laughed or spat in your face, but a
University in China has developed a robot that can set bones, operate on patients, and conduct medical research (we're
not sure what that last one means, but if it can conduct other kinds of research we could really use it over here at
Engadget HQ). The smaller version of the robot has already helped conduct 21 bone setting surgeries, apparently, with a
100% success rate; not bad, but forgive us if we're not entirely excited about the possibility of a segfault while our
femur is being realigned. Still, it's not the first, nor will it be the last time a robot's going to cut open a human
and meddle with the insides.
[Via Near Near Future]
Filed under: Robots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill Koslosky, MD @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
The Zeus surgical system has been in the US for at least 3 years now (probably more). There are even remote systems where the operating surgeon can be physically distant.
The phrase, "a robots going to cut open a human and meddle with the insides," sounds overally dramatic. How about on the molecular level? Imagine the pharmaceuticals, whether prescription or recreational, that may be doing some meddling with our DNA or protein receptors. Note the recent withdrawal of a C0X-2 inhibitor meant to be a pain reliever (but not really that much more effective than what we have now) with decreased GI adverse effects that increases the risk of a cardiac event. Not to mention the meddling that goes on each time someone lights up a cigarette.
Sharon Phone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
I'm not sure what Dr. Colostomy was trying to get at with the comments...so is science a good or bad thing??
Jakob Peterh?el @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
In the news just a few days ago, this type of surgery is now used in Copenhagen (DK) too.
ville @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Robot on that picture is DaVinci-surgery system. Used for example in heart surgery. http://www.cts.usc.edu/rsi-davincisystem.html
Maikeru @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
I've heard of plans for using such systems remotely as to bring the skill of surgeons to places where they are not. However, I sure hope that they have some sort of dedicated (or at least extremely fast) communications line as everyone knows that lag is bad when playing games on-lineimagine that with surgery.