A Prelude to Minimally Invasive Surgery

Imagine popping into the clinic to get a quick fix for your flu, only to have the doctor remind you of the annual health check that you have been postponing indefinitely. He proceeds to offer an old adage, “Prevention is better than cure”, thus insinuating that you are deliberately delaying the health check. You smile meekly and apologize, yet again, as you show him your organizer (the one that is filled to the brim with appointments). You start feeling depressed. Is it depressing because you feel powerless in the presence of your doctor, or is it depressing because you suddenly realize that you have no time at all to spend on yourself?

If you are depressed because you feel powerless in the presence of your doctor, there is really nothing anybody can do about that. However, if you feel depressed knowing that you have no time at all to spend on yourself, rejoice in the fact that machines, especially robots, have always found ways to allow us to accomplish more in less time.

On the topic of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), researchers have come up with a miniature robot prototype that can be inserted through an incision. The robot can then be freely controlled to perform medical treatment and capture images when necessary. The prototype currently has image capture functions, medicine delivery systems, and tiny forceps for taking tissue samples. The possibilities are endless for this robot. With robots like these, it is possible to have health checks conducted when you are having lunch, and if there is a television, you get to enjoy the afternoon news.

Now that’s what you call multi-tasking!










Tiny Robot reduces need for surgery

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