Medical and health care robotics

Among the variety of technological advancements humanity has embarked upon, healthcare technologies stand out prominently due to their potential to save and enhance human lives. Given this profound impact, it’s entirely logical that robots have carved a niche for themselves within the medical realm.

Surgical robots

Robot-assisted surgery epitomises the convergence of technology and medical expertise. These robots amplify a surgeon’s capabilities. Consider this: a surgeon can utilise a robotic interface to manoeuvre robotic arms, performing surgeries with unparalleled precision. The delicate motions made by the surgeon can be scaled down by the robot, granting a level of accuracy that surpasses the limitations of the human hand. Beyond this, telerobotic systems hold the promise of obliterating geographical boundaries, enabling surgeons to operate on international patients. To realise this potential, however, telecommunication infrastructures must also be advanced, with enhancements like 6G networks, ensuring near-instantaneous, low-latency connections.

Highlighting advancements, researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a groundbreaking robotic system for colonoscopies. Traditional colonoscopies can be discomforting and painful, but this innovative system utilises a magnetic end-effector, allowing a gentler, camera-guided procedure controlled magnetically and robotically. This is just a glimpse of the cutting-edge innovations underway in the field.

Rehabilitation robots

Rehabilitation robots, a harmonious blend of biomedical engineering and human-robot interaction, are reshaping patient recovery journeys. Born from the collaborative efforts of clinicians, therapists, and engineers, these robots assist patients in their rehabilitation following traumatic events like strokes.

Beyond the operating room: expanding horizons in medical robotics

The canvas of medical robotics isn’t restricted to surgeries and rehabilitation alone. Several other promising avenues include:

• Disinfection robots: in an age of heightened awareness about hygiene, these robots can disinfect rooms swiftly and thoroughly, especially in hospitals.
• Robotic prosthetics: for those who’ve suffered limb loss, robotic prosthetics offer a chance at regaining mobility and functionality.
• Hospital service robots: streamlining hospital operations, these robots can autonomously manage tasks such as medication and food delivery to patients.

The integration of robotics in healthcare underscores a promising trajectory towards more efficient, precise, and patient-centric medical interventions. The future, it seems, belongs to both humans and robots.

In the next step, you will be introduced to the topic of domestic robots.