Medical Robotics in Spite of Research Gaps,

Medical Robotics

In spite of research gaps, medical robotics is a growing trend in the United States.

Advances in Medical Robotics (Diana, 2011)

Hybrid Assistive Limb 5 (HAL5) is an artificially powered ecoskeleton that helps double the amount of weight someone can carry unaided.

DaVinci Si HD Surgical System performs minimally invasive surgery through superior visualization and greater precision, with incisions of one to two centimeters causing less pain and speedier recovery. It reduces the hospital stay to one half and costs one third less.

Sofie incorporates force feedback allowing a surgeon to feel the pressure they apply making sutures and pushing tissue aside. Sofie is expected to develop in five years.

Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for treatment of cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.

Nursebot is designed to specifically help elderly deal with daily activities allowing them to live at home.

RIBA is designed to life people who are too weak. It is expected to start testing in 2011.

7. Remote Presence RP-7 is designed to connect hospital systems to remote areas.

8. Paro is a therapeutic seal robot for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders.

9. Lokomat combines medical and engineering approaches to help regain mobility faster with less pain.

10. IntelliFill I.V. Pharmacy Robot is designed to automate intravenous drug preparation processes.

11. Geminoid is a human looking robot designed to comfort patients to reduce stress.

12. Simroid is a robot-based patient used by dental students to practice.

C. Research Gaps

1. In spite of no evidence showing robotic surgery is better, prostrate removal via robot increased from 56% in 2006 to 76% in 2008 (Seaman, 2013). Research shows gaps in accessibility, indicating possible access to high volume hospitals.

2. Randomized clinical trials have shown that the robot can achieve better accuracy, but evidence of the use of a robot for total knee replacement is less clear (Davies, 2006).