Robotics & Automation News

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Swiss university shows brain-computer interface for controlling robots

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A Swiss university called the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne has showcased a new brain-computer interface that can be used to control robots. (See video below.)

Unlike previous BCI’s famously demonstrated to former US president, Barack Obama, the EPFL brain-computer interface does not require a hole to be drilled in the user’s head.

Two EPFL research groups teamed up to develop a machine-learning program that can be connected to a human brain and used to command a robot. [Read more…] about Swiss university shows brain-computer interface for controlling robots

ExcelsiusGPS robotic system used for brain surgery

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Christus Health has become the first health provider to use a robotic system for brain surgery, describing the ExcelsiusGPS as “a world-class robotic guidance and navigation system”.

The ExcelsiusGPS system, built by Globus Medical, was used in the first Christus Ochsner Health case this week, setting a new standard for robotic neurosurgery procedures in Southwest Louisiana.

Bringing the ExcelsiusGPS to the region was made possible with the help of the Christus Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana Foundation and its generous donors who gifted more than $1.1 million to make the purchase possible. [Read more…] about ExcelsiusGPS robotic system used for brain surgery

Robot performs laparoscopic surgery without guiding hand of a human

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By Catherine Graham, Johns Hopkins University

In four experiments on pig tissues, the robot excelled at suturing two ends of intestine – one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in abdominal surgery

A robot has performed laparoscopic surgery – also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery – on the soft tissue of a pig without the guiding hand of a human.

The people responsible say this is “a significant step toward fully automated surgery on humans”.

Designed by a team of Johns Hopkins University researchers, the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot, or STAR, is described today in Science Robotics.

Senior author Axel Krieger, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins’ Whiting School of Engineering, says: “Our findings show that we can automate one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in surgery: the reconnection of two ends of an intestine. [Read more…] about Robot performs laparoscopic surgery without guiding hand of a human

Distalmotion raises $90 million to accelerate adoption of its surgical robot

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Distalmotion has raised $90 million in Series E financing to support the global commercialization of its surgical robot Dexter.

Revival Healthcare Capital led the round with participation from 415 Capital, as well as existing investors.

CE-marked Dexter shifts the paradigm of robotic surgery by bringing the surgeon back into the sterile field, allowing direct patient access at all times and integrating proven laparoscopic workflows into the robotic setup. [Read more…] about Distalmotion raises $90 million to accelerate adoption of its surgical robot

Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

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Activ Surgical, a digital surgery company, has completed its first in-human surgery clinical trial utilizing the company’s technology-as-a-service bundle – the ActivInsights augmented reality-based software suite and the ActivSight imaging module.

Procedures for the study at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) were led by Dr Erik Wilson, professor in the Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a leading bariatric, endoluminal and robotic general surgeon; and Dr Shinil Shah, associate professor at UTHealth Houston and a preeminent general surgeon with expertise in advanced gastrointestinal surgery.

The safety and feasibility study was conducted across bariatric, colorectal and gallbladder procedures – surgeries in which intraoperative assessment of perfusion and anatomic structures are critical to prevent costly and life-threatening complications. [Read more…] about Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

Smith+Nephew launches handheld robotic-assisted surgical system

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Smith+Nephew, the global medical technology business, has launched its CORI handheld surgical robot, an advanced robotic system for both total and partial knee arthroplasties.

The CORI system is a compact and fully mobile solution incorporating a 3-D intra-operative imaging system with an advanced robotic sculpting tool. The robotic system allows surgeons to measure, plan, and perform a knee surgery which is personalised to the patient’s individual anatomy in theatre.

The Smith+Nephew system is considerably more compact than alternative robotic systems, has minimal set up time, and is so portable it can be moved from theatre to theatre to optimise flow of patients through surgical units. [Read more…] about Smith+Nephew launches handheld robotic-assisted surgical system

Monogram Orthopedics attracts 5,000 investors on way to raising $30 million

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Monogram Orthopedics, the startup advancing the future of joint replacement surgery, has attracted 5,000 Series B investors – and almost $1 million – on crowdfunding platform StartEngine.

Aiming to personalize the $19.6 billion joint replacement market through artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing, Monogram Orthopedics is targeting a $34 million raise to scale and bring their technology to market.

The company expects to kick off its unmatched personalized approach with its first Total Knee Arthroplasty implant FDA submission planned for later this year. [Read more…] about Monogram Orthopedics attracts 5,000 investors on way to raising $30 million

Medical Microinstruments’ Symani surgical system saves patient’s arm from amputation

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Medical Microinstruments, a robotics company specialising in microsurgery, says its Symani Surgical System was successfully used at Careggi University Hospital Florence by Professor Marco Innocenti, MD, and his team in a complex, post-traumatic limb reconstruction that saved a patient’s arm from amputation.

The case is the first enrolled patient in MMI’s post-market study.

Prof Innocenti, the head of reconstructive surgery and microsurgery at Careggi University Hospital, performed the procedure which involved a young adult who suffered a motorcycle accident. [Read more…] about Medical Microinstruments’ Symani surgical system saves patient’s arm from amputation

Predictive Modeling in Healthcare

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The healthcare industry continues to find itself in an entanglement with continuous risks.

Handling these risks implies the applicability of highly accurate predictive technologies that promise improved medical care.

Why does predictive modelling tools matter? [Read more…] about Predictive Modeling in Healthcare

9 Ways Automation Can Improve Patient Communication

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The healthcare sector has been successful in adopting new medical technologies and managing a variety of illnesses.

Yet, there’s been a continuing struggle over the pace and efficiency of daily operations, especially patient communication. [Read more…] about 9 Ways Automation Can Improve Patient Communication