Operations done by robots?

[Cheba_Mami]

Robot to help Edmonton surgeons in less invasive procedures

Friday, August 3, 2007, CBC News -- There's a new addition to the surgical team at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital: an adult-sized robot.

The four-armed robot, which is five-foot-six and weighs over 2,300 pounds, is programmable and can be operated by surgeons using computer-based technology. It will be used in minimally invasive surgery to provide 3D video imaging and high-resolution images.

It cost $4 million to purchase the robot and retrofit one of the hospital's operating rooms. It has the ability to move intuitively in small spaces, and will decrease the number of surgical tools used during operations.

"This is the latest and most technologically advanced surgical tool available today," Dr. Mike Hobart, a urologist at the hospital who will be one of the first surgeons in the region trained to use the robot, said in a release.

The robot also allows for more precise surgery in difficult areas where there is limited space in the body, said Hobart.

It will initially be used for urology procedures such as radical prostatectomies - removal of the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue - to treat prostate cancer. It's expected the robot will eventually participate in gynecology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgeries.


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Have 4 arms, will operate

[amalgamate]

It's expected the robot will eventually participate in gynecology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgeries.

that'd be pretty creepy if you ask me. having robot working on ya... whoa

besides, if it breaks, how many people you think are out there that know how to fix it? more than likely it would need special, hard-to-get resources that ain't readily and widely available. it'd become more of a burden with it than a relief.

worse yet- if this here thing gets good publicity n all, nurses will become obsolete in the near future!! them nursing schools would loose a lot of money evidently go out of business...



this is a BAD invention...

[Bent_Bladi]

that's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO stupid...!!! what if it breaks down during the surgery and slashes up the patient's insides??! There's nothing more important than HUMAN interaction w/ the patient - u can't duplicate that. no matter what