Astronauts on long missions in space may soon rest easier knowing that they have a tiny robotic surgeon onboard their spacecrafts. Scientists have developed a miniature robot that can be used to perform remote controlled surgeries in space.
The device, which was developed with researchers from Virtual Incision in Lincoln, Nebraska, is about the size of a fist. The tiny robot was designed based on current laparoscopic technologies. However, the researches designed it specifically for operating in the zero gravity conditions of space.
"Laparoscopic techniques have allowed surgeons to perform operations through small incisions," says the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Robotics and Mechatronics Lab. "However, the benefits of laparoscopy are still limited to less complex procedures because of losses in imaging and dexterity compared to conventional surgery."
The miniature robot may soon accompany astronauts bound for missions in deep space. Due to the length of such missions, the risks of astronauts getting injured while performing their assigned activities goes up significantly. With a tiny medical robot onboard, emergency surgical procedures could be administered. The robot can also be controlled remotely by Earth based surgeons if needed.
"This project is developing miniature robots to be placed within the abdominal cavity to assist the surgeon," the Robotics and Mechatronics lab says. "These remotely controlled in vivo robots provide the surgeon with an enhanced field of view from arbitrary angles as well as provide dexterous manipulators not constrained by small incisions in the abdominal wall."
A paper discussing the details of the robotic surgeon was also submitted during the 2014 NASA Human Research Program Investigator's Workshop. Moreover, a working prototype has already been completed and is scheduled for its first zero-gravity test. The test involves carrying the prototype onboard an aircraft flying in parabolic arcs. Researchers plan on testing the device's performance in zero-gravity conditions in the next few months. Tests will include a set of exercises that will showcase the dexterity of the robot. These tests will include manipulating and moving around small objects like rubber bands.
The problem with conducting surgical operations in space mainly lies in the fact that there is no gravity. This means that blood and other bodily fluids may start floating around a spacecraft or space station's cabins. Due to the limitations of in weight and size, a surgical robot should also be very small and lightweight and the device created by Virtual Incision fulfills easily fulfills those requirements.
