Technology has been used to make nearly every facet of our lives easier. The use of technology in medicine has had an extensive impact, from the way computers are used to manage patient data, promote research, and encourage collaboration to the way that machines such as MRIs and other diagnostic devices have been used to more accurately identify health disorders and diseases.
Technology has made a significant impact on our current health care system. Some of the most interesting uses of technology are in robots, used in a number of applications for medicine. Here’s an overview:
Surgery
Robots are used to help surgeons control movement and to make more targeted incisions — especially useful when working on delicate procedures such as cardiac or neurosurgery. Other robots can make less-invasive procedures possible. Some examples include NeuroArm, used to perform complicated neurosurgery; CyberKnife, used to delivery targeted radiotherapy; and HeartLander, used to perform heart surgery without having to crack open a patient’s chest. Many, many more surgical robots have been designed for a variety of treatments.
Diagnosis
Robots can help improved diagnostic capabilities by offering more sophisticated methods of detection with less invasive procedures. For example, the Breast Biopsy Robot can provide 3D diagnostic information via ultrasound and perform an optional biopsy. The Rp-7 can help doctors examine and diagnose patients in other hospitals. The possibilities for diagnostic technology are endless.
Rehabilitation
Robots are often used to help treat patients undergoing physical therapy, including use in prosthetics. Some examples include the Exoskeleton, which can help patients with muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular diseases to regain some strength; or the DEKA Arm, a prosthetic arm that can be controlled by a patient’s thoughts.
Education
Robots are especially useful when training new doctors and teaching surgical methodologies. The Pregnant Robot, for example, can simulate the birth of a child. Many other robots are available to teach other methods without allowing inexperienced students to make mistakes in actual clinical settings.
The use of robots in medicine is growing as the technology has proven to be more useful in a number of applications. More and more technical advances are being made that will produce more sophisticated robots and lead to even greater diagnosis and treatment protocols.
Erinn Stam is the Managing Editor for a nursing scholarship program. She attends Wake Technical Community College and is learning about single mother nursing scholarships. She lives in Durham, NC with her lovely 4-year-old daughter and exuberant husband.
Tags: Medical Robots, Medicine Technology
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on October 22, 2011 at 1:32 am
That’s really amazing, Robots are getting more popularity as per their increasing requirements and usefulness.
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on October 24, 2011 at 8:10 am
The technology behind robots is becoming very advanced. Maybe not take-over-the-world advanced, but they are become more beneficial in the medical field for sure.
on October 22, 2011 at 4:23 am
in future may robot is doing all working of doctor……nice share……
on October 24, 2011 at 8:10 am
I can’t say that a robot will ever replace a doctor, but they are great for complimenting a doctor.
on October 23, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I actually read a novel written by Michael Palmer about surgeries done by a robot and must say the topic fascinates me. Provided there are no mechanical glitches, the benefits include the lack of human short-comings, i.e. tiredness, emotion, etc.
This is a GREAT article!
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on October 24, 2011 at 8:14 am
The fact that robots do make up for human shortcomings is a huge benefit for using them more in the medical field. Many operations can take many hours and teams of medial practitioners, and by using robots, the number of doctors and nurses that are needed can be reduced.
on October 24, 2011 at 3:53 am
Using robots is a forward step in medicine! And that’s great that it gives an opportunity for a great number of people to have very serious operations and to get a chance to live.
I was really surprised to find out the fact that Pregnant Robots exist!!! I have never heard about this. It is a perfect opportunity for future doctors to get practice
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on October 24, 2011 at 8:17 am
I didn’t know about pregnant robots myself, but it just goes to show how far we have come to developing robots.
on October 25, 2011 at 3:40 am
Hi there. Thanks a lot for sharing this. It’s a very nice information. In my country, we never thought of trying to use this technology just yet.
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on October 27, 2011 at 1:27 pm
As most of us are depending more and more on technology, It is becoming a reality that robot will make our lives easier, but I think it will lead us to being lazier and less active and therefore lifestyles will change.
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on October 31, 2011 at 12:50 am
if robots do everything i think i will be lost my jobs
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on October 31, 2011 at 8:30 am
Losing jobs to robots, or technology in general, is a common thought. Robots should be made to compliment the human worker, and not replace them.
on March 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm
We’re now really embracing the high and amazing technology. Robots are now getting popular and as a best helper. I think this is more reliable as they don’t feel tiredness and emotions as they work. All the best for the robots.
on March 5, 2012 at 8:05 am
The fatigue felt by humans can become a serious problem – especially during surgery. The advance in robotics has really change the way some long tasks can be performed, and with better accuracy.
on May 12, 2012 at 2:28 am
You can give me all the statistics you like; if I go under the knife I still want a human holding the blade. If I die a painful death on the operating table then I want to be able to blame somebody.