Robotics

From science-fiction to powerful medical tool: Robots perform an increasing number of valuable tasks in healthcare settings. From surgical robotics to applications in patient care – medical robots are here to stay. Keep reading for latest developments and exciting new areas of deployment for this technology.

News • Research on assistive systems

Robots could help patients get a grip on dyspraxia

Personalised, responsive assistance for patients with dyspraxia: Assistive robots could help patients with motor coordination conditions by detecting and predicting intent, effort and fatigue.

Video • Oloid-shaped magnet-driven probe

Virtual biopsy: tiny robot wobbles its way through the gut

Engineers developed a robotic probe that can generate high-resolution 3D ultrasound images from deep inside the gastrointestinal tract. The robot reaches its target with a unique kind of movement.

News • Neuroprosthesis research

Restoring movement to paralysis patients with robotics and spinal stimulation

A new system that seamlessly integrates an implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with rehabilitation robotics delivers well-timed electrical pulses to enhance mobility and foster long-term recovery.

News • Research on soft wearable actuators

Artificial muscles for tremor suppression

To suppress tremors, such as those from Parkinson's disease, scientists equipped a biorobotic arm with artificial muscles, which compensate for the back-and-forth movement of the tremor.

Video • Miniaturisation milestone

Sub-millimetre robot for interventional diagnosis and treatment

Less than a millimetre: the world's smallest biomedical robot is designed for imaging, sampling, drug delivery, and laser ablation. The developers highlight potential new clinical applications.

News • Study on productivity and quality

Robots in nursing homes help improve staff retention, patient care

A new study on the future of work in nursing homes finds that robot use is associated with increased employment and staff retention, improved productivity and a higher quality of care.

News • Imitation learning

Learning surgery steps: Robot see, robot do

Imitation learning could open a new frontier in medical robotics: Researchers 'taught' a robot to mimic a surgical procedure by watching the surgeons' performance.

News • From drug delivery to fluid redirection

3D robot navigation could enable multi-site medical procedures

Scientists have developed a novel method for deploying several magnetic miniature robots which can easily navigate through a 3D matrix resembling a network of blood vessels.

News • Tradefair programme overview

Don't miss: Trends and innovations at the Medica 2024 Health IT Forum

How can innovations help to master challenges and demands in healthcare? This central question will be addressed at the Medica Health IT Forum, an established part of the programme at the trade fair.

Article • Future treaments discussed at senology congress

How will we treat breast cancer in 2034?

The year: 2034. Breast cancer patients benefit from perfectly personalised diagnostics and therapies. The tedium of follow-up treatments is a thing of the past, thanks to AI, augmented reality and robotics. Just a tale from the realm of science fiction, or could this soon be clinical reality? At the annual meeting of the German Senologic Society, Prof Dr Marc Thill from the Agaplesion Markus…

News • Transformation study

Turning labs into “discovery factories” with AI and robotics

Increasing implementation of robotic automation and AI will speed up scientific progress in science laboratories, according to a new study. The experts outline this process across distinctive levels.

Article • Overheard at Semi-Live 2024

Exchanging insights on advances in urological surgery

Telesurgical procedures, new resection techniques, robot-assisted surgery: The sixth Semi-Live conference at University Hospital Heidelberg looked at how surgical approaches have evolved in the last few decades driven by technical advances in the ongoing quest for precision and excellence in patient care.

News • Miniature instrument transport

Robotic "convoy" advances endoscopic surgery

Miniature robots often lack the strength to transport instruments for endoscopic microsurgery. But what if they worked together? Scientists have pursued this idea to perform a surgical procedure.

News • Biorobotics breakthrough

Promising hand prosthesis controlled by thought and magnets

A new type of magnetically controlled prosthetic hand allows amputees to reproduce all movements simply by thinking and to control the force applied when grasping fragile objects.

News • Thermal-responsive magnetic nanorobot collectives

Stopping brain bleeds from aneurysms with tiny robots

Brain aneurysms cause around 500,000 deaths globally each year and can lead to stroke and disability. Now, researchers created nanoscale robots to manage bleeds in the brain caused by aneurysms. 

News • VITALISE project

Personalised robotic 'coaches' to aid rehabilitation after stroke, brain injury

Robots could help guide self-managed rehabilitation for stroke and brain injury survivors. A new project explores the potential of the technology for restoring upper limb mobility.

News • Echocardiography

Robot arm and 5G for remote heart diagnostics

When the cardiologist cannot come to the patient, a robot arm might do the trick: New research shows the potential of echocardiograms performed remotely using robot arm technology and a 5G network.

Article • Company showcase: Medical Taiwan 2024

Manufacturers from Taiwan present innovative products

Handheld point-of-care diagnostics, magnetic endoscopy, AI-enhanced robotic surgery, smart patient information management, wireless minimally invasive surgery systems, and much more: At the Medical Taiwan Health & Care Expo in Taipei this summer, visitors had the opportunity to see innovative medical products and solutions across a wide range of specialties. We took a closer look at selected…

Article • Compared to laparoscopy

Robotic surgery improves colorectal surgery outcomes

When colorectal surgery was first performed with robotic assistance in 2014, the procedure was questioned about safety, efficacy, and outcomes. Today it is an established option. Well-trained surgeons use robotic surgical systems confidently. Numerous clinical studies have verified its intraoperative benefits for patients and surgeons alike, as well as very positive outcomes for patients.

News • Guidance for instrumentation

Robot assistance shows its mettle in spine surgery

Surgeons in Hong Kong have successfully introduced robotic assistance into their spinal surgery portfolio. After the first 20 procedures with the new technique, they report on the benefits.

News • Medical workflow assistance

AI and robotics support for ultrasound imaging

Autonomous robotic ultrasound systems could perform routine examinations and support doctors in the OR. New research shows that these systems can make everyday life easier for medical professionals.

Video • Intra-operative assistance

MRI-guided robotic positioner to enhance neurosurgery precision

New robotic technology could pave the way for more precise MRI-guided stereotactic surgery, for example by assisting with cannula/needle targeting during deep brain stimulation (DBS) interventions.

News • Pros and cons in surgery

Robotic assistance in lung transplantation: Has the time come?

Although robots are common to assist in surgery, robotic assistance is not routinely used for lung transplants. However, this might change soon, according to an expert speaking at the ISHLT meeting.

News • Operation equipment

Single-port technology to enhance robotic surgery

One and the same opening for the camera and surgical instruments: A new technology, called single-port, is being introduced at Karolinska University Hospital to enhance robotic cancer surgery.

News • Telesurgery

First robot-assisted remote radical distal gastrectomy with 5G technology

A potential milestone for telesurgery: a team of researchers from China reported the first robot-assisted remote radical distal gastrectomy performed using 5G communication technology.

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