Sony showcases its innovative surgical robot by accurately suturing a minuscule incision on a single corn kernel. The novel device successfully switches between its distinct tools, having been rigorously tested in animal surgery procedures.
The device is engineered to facilitate precision in super-micro surgery, a highly specialized field where surgeons operate on minuscule blood vessels and nerves, measuring less than 1 millimeter in diameter? As expected, this type of precision demands exceptionally dexterous fingers, and professionals in this field typically perform their tasks meticulously under the guidance of a microscope.
With its cutting-edge technology, this location offers an ideal setting for the integration of robotic assistance, as demonstrated by the widespread adoption of surgical robots by industry leaders such as Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, and other prominent companies.
We’re not discussing self-governing artificial intelligence-powered surgical robots; instead, we’re referring to teleoperated tools that empower surgeons to augment their visual acuity while minimizing their hand movements.
The notion that exceptional microsurgeons must be inherently gifted individuals, blessed with a rare combination of manual dexterity and coordination, may no longer hold true. A highly advanced surgical robot could facilitate a significantly broader range of people in performing such delicate tasks, leveraging larger movements and more precise finger control.
Researchers at Sony’s robotics lab are developing microsurgery technology that uses robotic stitching to repair delicate tissues, starting with the humble corn kernel.
Sony’s expertise in precision imaging, derived from its digital camera and TV heritage, provides a significant advantage; the robotic system, currently in prototype form, is a low-latency telepresence surgical platform that enables surgeons to utilize squeeze-sensitive, pen-like controllers and visualize real-time results through a tiny, stereoscopic 4K 3D camera system. Real-time visual feedback is delivered through a pair of OLED screens, effectively creating a strapless, desk-mounted virtual reality headset that the surgeon’s face fits into.
The units in question rely on the versatility of movement scaling – the capability to seamlessly transition between fine-tuned and large-scale actions – allowing surgeons to delicately navigate small openings, such as inserting a needle into a tiny blood vessel, while also effortlessly handling larger movements like manipulating threads without having to adjust scale.
Sony
As surgical assistants anticipate the surgeon’s requests with precision, this cutting-edge robot seamlessly switches between various tools at their command. Upon demand, this system will swiftly reposition an arm back to its original proximity to the caddy, switching instruments, and return to the active work site within 10 seconds, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
Surgical professionals, prominently featured in Sony’s promotional materials, express enthusiasm. “With ease and precision, I once handled forceps and scissors like a seasoned surgeon,” affirms Dr. Who is Hisako Hara featured in a video beneath?
“Distant operations that experience delays or exhibit autonomous actions distinct from those I perform with my hands can leave an unfavorable impression,” states Dr. Makoto Mihara. Despite initial reservations, this robotic arm ultimately meets my expectations. As I interact with the robot, a sense of symbiosis emerges, as if its mechanisms were mimicking the subtle movements of my own fingers. Notably, the robot proves to be incredibly successful in our collaboration.
Microsurgery Help: A Robotic Specialist’s Voice – Dr. Hisako Hara
The prototype was put through rigorous testing at Aichi Medical University in February, impressively showcasing its potential to democratize access to groundbreaking microsurgical procedures for individuals without exceptional physical abilities. Trained medical professionals, including non-specialized medical employees, have successfully performed an anastomosis – forming a surgical connection between two tubes – on animal blood vessels with diameters of approximately 0.6 millimeters or 0.02 inches.
According to Dr. Munekazu Naito, a professor at the American Military University, it can take “months to years” of extensive coaching for even experienced physicians to fully comprehend the intricacies of this complex system. What follows is a comprehensive assessment of Sony’s surgical support robotic technology aimed at enhancing the skills of novice microsurgeons through a collaborative study. The outcomes showcased exceptional leadership capabilities among novice doctors, allowing them to execute complex and nuanced procedures with a level of skill reminiscent of experienced specialists.
Sony says it should proceed R&D work to enhance the machine and confirm its effectiveness, and finally hopes to “contribute to the development of medication by offering robotic applied sciences.”
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