The cost of this surgical robot equipment is as high as $24 million. Its manufacturer, MacDonald Dwell United Limited of Canada, once made a mechanical device called "Canadian arm" for the space shuttle of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States.
"The invention of surgical robots enables surgeons to cope with some high-risk operations that human resources cannot cope with, such as brain tumor resection," garnett Sutherland, a neurosurgeon at the University of Calgary who led the project, told Reuters.
Automatically avoid all misoperation.
The control equipment of the "nerve arm" is similar to the cockpit and is operated by the surgeon. The doctor realizes the operation by observing the stereoscopic image display. The monitor is connected with the tentacle of the machine, which can display the depth perspective of the organ. At the same time, doctors can refer to the MRI images displayed on the computer next to them, and even hear the robot performing surgery in the human body through its built-in microphone.
The console also has a touch screen that displays 3D images. By adjusting the perspective, the doctor can observe the patient's situation in all directions.
"Our goal is to make complex and difficult operations simple and easy, and to make it possible for humans to perform operations that are impossible." Alex Greer, a robot engineer, said when demonstrating the operation of the "neuroarm".
Years of professional training and clinical practice have given surgeons precise and stable hands. However, even so, it is not as good as the "nerve arm" with automatic correction function. It can automatically avoid all misoperation and ensure safe and smooth operation. However, it also means that the burden on surgeons will increase.
Leading the revolution of surgical concept
Surgical robot is the product of the integration of advanced technologies. When the doctor walked into the operating room, he felt that scientists and robotics experts were fighting side by side with them and completing the operation seamlessly. Compared with traditional surgery, the appearance of surgical robot has introduced a brand-new concept, which is a great leap.