Researchers at the University of California San Diego have successfully carried out the world's first operation performed by robot surgeons. The breakthrough could one day allow specialists to perform life-saving procedures from hundreds of miles away, aiding patients in remote communities, disaster zones, and military field hospitals.
Preclinical Trial Details
The human-shaped robots, nicknamed 'Surgie', completed two gallbladder removal operations during a preclinical trial on large animal models. In one procedure, a robot operated alongside a human surgeon acting as an assistant. In the second, two humanoid robots worked together as the surgical team. The research was published in the journal Nature.
Robot Specifications and Advantages
The Surgie robots stand around 5ft tall, weigh just 27kg, and use standard surgical instruments. This means they can work in existing operating theatres without the specialist facilities needed for conventional robotic surgery systems, which can weigh almost 1,800lb and require large support teams. The researchers say humanoid robots are far cheaper and more compact, making them deployable in under-resourced hospitals or temporary medical facilities.
Expert Quotes on Potential Impact
Professor Michael Yip, a senior author of the study, said: “There is a shortage of surgeons alongside growing patient needs, which leads to longer wait times, reduced access and greater healthcare disparities. Remotely operated and autonomous humanoid robots have real potential for expanding access to critical surgeries that patients would otherwise not receive.”
Dr Shanglei Liu, who remotely controlled one of the robots during the trial, added: “It’s a fraction of the cost and it takes a fraction of the space in an operating room. So it’s easy to deploy anywhere from rural areas to the battlefield, and even to space.”
Teleoperation System and Future Prospects
The robots mirror a surgeon’s hand movements using a teleoperation system, allowing procedures to be performed remotely. The team acknowledges the technology is still in its early stages. The robots needed several recalibrations during surgery, and the operations took much longer than those using existing robotic systems. However, the researchers believe the technology will improve rapidly, noting that early robotic keyhole surgery once took six hours but can now be completed in about 30 minutes. They hope humanoid robots will eventually work alongside surgeons, delivering specialist care wherever needed.
