It’s inevitable.
Today’s mechanical robots will become smaller and smaller… until one day they just disappear.
Imaging and navigation will supersede the robots as I referenced in my 2023 trends.
Say goodbye to the refrigerators.
Say hello to ubiquitous imaging and navigation.
Med device engineers are developing new surgical robots that are smaller, more flexible, and more precise than existing systems. They are also exploring new ways to use imaging and navigation technologies to guide surgeons during minimally invasive procedures.
For example, in an article titled “Cutting Surgical Robots Down to Microscale Size” describes a new miniature robot that is the size of a tennis ball. This robot is still under development, but it has the potential to revolutionize microsurgery, which is used to operate on delicate tissues and structures in the body.
In another article titled “The Disappearing Robot in Orthopedics” discusses how advances in imaging and navigation technologies are making it possible for surgeons to perform complex orthopedic procedures through smaller incisions. In the future, these technologies could lead to the development of surgical robots that are so small and precise that they are virtually invisible to the patient.
I believe that the shrinking surgical robots will continue to play an important role in orthopedics for many years to come. Surgical robots offer a number of advantages over traditional surgical techniques, including:
- Increased precision and accuracy
- Reduced risk of complications
- Shorter recovery times
- Improved patient outcomes
As surgical robots continue to shrink in size and become more affordable or even disposable, imaging and navigation technology will become more and more important.
TAKEHOME MESSAGE: Robots are just tools. Imaging/navigation will become the “operating system” for surgery.