Robotic Surgery


1. What is Robotic Surgery?
2. Research and describe the Worlds First Telesurgery.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1552211.stm
3. How does it Work?
Read How Stuff Works: How Robotic Surgery will work and either photocopy the article and highlight the main points or summarise it into your own words.

Watch the video:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/multivu/3378-heart-bypass-surgery-using-only-4-holes-video.htm
Also visit the following website:
http://www.stronghealth.com/services/surgical/roboticvideo.cfm
for a short video of first cardiac surgery. and do some of your own research.

YouTube offers a range of videos including an hour long video of watching a robotic surgery.

4. How is currently being used?

Robotic Surgery Record of News Articles:

1. Restoring the Human touch to Remote-controlled surgery, The New York times, April 2005


Remote control surgery, with surgeons performing surgery using a computer console which guide robotic tools e.g. scalpels and scissors.

2. Robotic surgery a boost to cancer patients, The Borneo Post, October 2005


A doctor performs the procedure remotely by looking through a viewer that provides a 3-d image.

3. Dexterous Mini-robots to aid ops, BBC News, January 2006


Biopsy’s performed so far on pigs, by inserting these robots through the mouth.

To action: Find one more recent article.
Discuss as a class the social and ethical issues surrounding robotic surgery. Consider the patient, doctors and hospitals as your stakeholders.

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