No, I'm sorry. This article isn't actually about Leonardo daVinci. This isn't even a post about the Renaissance. In actuality, I've chosen to do my "What's news in science" report on robotics in the medical world. Surprise.
The medical term Minimally Invasive Surgery is, as described to me by Wikipedia, a surgical procedure that while not as complex or risky as open surgery, still requires an incision. These new methods are preferred by both doctors and patients because they tend to produce less scarring, while still being just as effective, and have become increasingly popular, particularly in the last decade. However, in order to be so minimally invasive, a tremendous amount of skill and dexterity is required, and any error can easily prove much more grave than the initial action. That's where technology comes in.
Since 1988, robotics have been used to aid in the precision of such surgeries.Because there is always the possibility of human error, the use of robotic assistants can make for a steadier, more precise hand. According to the article "Surgical Robots Operate With Precision" from Wired.com, Brian Daives, of the Imperial College in London, manufactured the first robot assistant capable of removing soft tissue from a patient, and according to the article, "with a fair bit of autonomy."
The latest focus of this trend is a machine called the daVinci Surgical System (see visuals above).
The newest 2009 model, as shown in the picture and video,is comprised of four intricately positionable arms, each with a small pair of grasping pincers, no bigger than human fingers. Three arms carry specialized surgical tools (which are replaced every 12-15 uses to ensure tools are sterile), while the fourth carries an endoscopic camera with which the surgeon surveys their work. Positioned at a console away from the patient, surgeons can control the movements of all arms from a high definition, three-dimensional interface. The arms allow them to do any and all maneuvers necessary - each "arm" has seven degrees of freedom, which according to the video allows for more than even the human wrist - and because of their size can be easily insert through very small incisions. The "stirrups" for the surgeons thumb and forefinger also actively ratio the movements into micro equivalents, allowing for a much smaller chance of dexterous error. Mary Spiro, of Examiner.com, reflects on the remarkable nature of this ability; "Compare this minimally invasive surgical method to more traditional surgical techniques where a large incision is made and flaps of skin and tissue must be pulled aside so that the surgeon can gain direct access and you start to appreciate what the da Vinci has achieved" (Spiro).
So what does technology like this mean for the future? Well, from a medical standpoint, we can confidently say that with increased precision comes increased surgery survival rates. This is great news for patients whose surgeries are often avoided, due the the complexity of certain areas believed to be 'inoperable'. But in the same sense that every issue is a double edged sword (not to be cynical or anything), better medical care will always mean more people surviving in a world that is already dangerously close to overpopulation. However, there is another obvious implication staring us in the face, and that is the eventual superiority of robotic labor and ability. Sarah Pearson is the curator at the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, which according to Wired.com will be an exhibit concerning medicine and robotics. According to her interview; “Industrial robots appeared in factories in the early 1960s and robots have become an important part of space exploration. But robots have been comparatively slow to be used in medicine because surgeons haven’t felt comfortable with them” (Ganapati). Intuitive Surgical, the company that produces the daVinci, refers to their product as a "mind-slave", that it is a tool simply to assist the surgeon in their duties. The video above makes very careful mention that the systems many "redundant" safety measures ensure that all movement of the machine is dictated by the operator. While this may be true for the future, the ever expanding world of robotics and interest in Artificial Intelligence are powerful omens for what possibilities the future may hold. While it is true that medical treatment is quite a different issue from, say, an automobile assembly line, it is the very nature of technology to lighten the workload of humanity, and from what popular sci-fi culture has been telling us, robot doctors don't seem all that far fetched.
For more information on the daVinci Surgical System, you can visit the Intuitive Surgical homepage.
Ganapati, Priya. " Gadget Lab Hardware News and Reviews Surgical Robots Operate With Precision." Wired.com 11 sept 2009: n. pag. Web. 14 Sep 2009.
Spiro, Mary. "Surgical robot translates surgeon's touch into precise movements." Examiner.com 09 sept 2009: n. pag. Web. 14 Sep 2009.
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