China's hunger for industrial robots has been huge and growing fast, but what about robots in the medical field? CCTV'S Li Qiuyuan visits one hospital in Beijing to see how surgeons there are given a helping hand from robots, and how China's first domestically produced robotic surgeon might soon become reality.
Four-armed robots hover over patients, operating instead of human surgeons.
It sure looks like medical technology is advancing into the realm of science fiction.
But according to Dr. Liu Rong, who has pioneered the use of robots in hospitals, robot-assisted surgery might soon become common practice in China.
"The use of surgical robots has already been on the rise. Our robots are usually fully booked. On average, I now have 2 to 3 robotic surgeries every day," Dr. Liu said.
Dr. Liu specializes in minimally invasive treatment of malignant pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder disease, and he is increasingly relying on the bots.
“The robot offers a high definition 3d visualization that allows me to see fine anatomic detail during the procedure. The 4 robotic arms, that I’m able to control with my hands and feet, provide me with fine motor skill for complex suturing and dissection. Overall, it improves dexterity and reduces tremor,” he said.
It’s also allowing patients to heal much faster than the traditional open surgical approach.
“When compared with open surgeries, robotic surgeries have smaller incisions, less blood loss, much better visualization, less post-operative pains, and as a result a decrease time of stay in hospital,” he said.
For patients, that means an invasive pancreatic cancer surgery has now transformed from “blood and guts” to “bits and bites”.
“I’m been given a second life and I’m grateful for what the doctors did with the surgical robots,” said Pancreatic cancer patient.
But these technological advancement aren’t one size fits all.
Patients have to undergo diagnostic test to see if they are eligible for the operations.
Surgeons have also to be properly trained to use the robot equipment.
Here is a demonstration of the surgical robot that’s being used at this hospital. It’s got 3 core components: a patient cart, which house the robotic arms; a surgeon console; and a vision system -- or the brain of the system -- that relays information between the first 2 parts.
The robot doesn't do anything on its own. It’s more of an extension of a surgeon’s eyes, arms and hands. Every control movement made by the surgeon at the console is being translated into direct action upon a patient.
And this one doesn't come cheap, it cost around 2 million US Dollars, which could mean increased cost for procedures and limited accessibility for hospitals. "
Critics also point out that more technology doesn't necessarily mean better quality healthcare, citing a cheaper laparoscopic surgery sometimes could also do the trick. But Dr. Liu says the laparoscopic platform alone hasn’t been adequate to perform certain complex operations.
And now the research and developing team here at the PLA General Hospital is participating in designing China’s own surgical robots, challenging the dominance of established players, by offering greater affordability and technological innovation.
"We already have the prototype, and hopefully it will be put into large-scale manufacturing soon to meet the market," Liu said.
Surgical robotics also opens the door for tele-surgeries, and beyond that, autonomous robot surgeon.
For Dr. Liu and his team, these robotic surgical tools aren’t just advancement for medical technology, they are shaping the landscape of healthcare for patients. And the potential for what they could do in the future could possibly change medicine forever.
