Robotics technology is now being utilized in the field of medicine because it offers the high precision and control that minimally invasive procedures require. Robotics are now being used in gallbladder surgery, heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux correction and endoscope positioning. In the future, the applications of this technology will encompass closed-chest beating-heart surgery.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Less Personnel Required

Because the surgical robots could take over the job of some of the people inside the operating room, future surgeries will require fewer personnel yet still be able to perform a more effective and safer surgery.

Surgery at a Distance

With improvements in telecommunications and speed of data transfer, robotic surgery can even be done from a distance. This means that the surgeon could perform the operation even though he is in another city or even another country far from the patient.

Reduced Trauma and Faster Patient Recovery

Because robotic surgery would allow for operations needing only small incisions on the patient's body, the rate of patients' recovery would be accelerated. This would translate to less pain during and after the operation as well as less risks and complications for the patient.Robotic Surgery

Robotic Surgical Systems

Da Vinci Surgical System

The Da Vinci Surgical System was approved for use in operating rooms last July 11, 2000 by the US Food and Drug Administration. This surgical system was developed by Intuitive Surgical and enables the surgeon to see the surgical site in clearer detail than the human eye allows. Surgeons can now work on a smaller than usual scale. The two main components of the Da Vinci Surgical System are the View/Control console and the surgical arm.

Used in a gallbladder surgery, a Da Vinci Surgical System uses 3 stainless steel rods (two rods for surgical instruments and one for the camera) held in place by robotic arms. These rods are then inserted into the patient via three small incisions in the abdomen. The images from the camera are then displayed on the console giving the surgeon a clear view of the surgical area. Using joystick-like controls to control the surgical instruments at the tips of the two rods, the surgeon can remotely operate on the patient.

ZEUS System

The ZEUS System by Computer Motion is another surgical robot in the process of being cleared by the FDA. The system is already being used in Europe and is showing promising results. In fact, the ZEUS system has already been used to perform coronary bypass surgery in Germany.

The ZEUS System at $750,000 is less expensive than the Da Vinci Surgical System, which costs around $1 million.

AESOP

The AESOP or the Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning by Computer motion was the first surgical robot to be approved by the FDA. Its main feature is its mechanical arm that can be utilized by the surgeon to accurately position the endoscope. Through the use of foot pedals and voice activated software, a surgeon can keep his hands free to perform surgery on the patient.