Snake-Robots To Assist Surgeons in Tight Spots

ferd_farkle writes "Science Daily has an article about engineering advances meant to help steady the hands of surgeons working in really cramped spaces like eyes and throats. From the article: 'The tools include a snakelike robot that could enable surgeons, operating in the narrow throat region, to make incisions and tie sutures with greater dexterity and precision. Another robot, the steady-hand, may curb a surgeon's natural tremor and allow the doctor to inject drugs into tiny blood vessels in the eye, dissolving clots that can damage vision."

obligatory...

[nih (411096)]

i'm sick and tired of these mutha fuckin snakes in this mutha fuckin stomach!

Re:obligatory...

[WilliamSChips (793741)]

Personally, I wouldn't want a snake in my head...it could take over my body and start impersonating a god.

Re:

[Prune (557140)]

I don't get it. What is this in reference to?

Re:

[dotbenjamin (1034650)]

Your geek license has hereby been revoked. Watch a minimum of five of the Anderson-era seasons, take a full written exam, and you may be allowed to have your license reinstated.

Re:

[WilliamSChips (793741)]

Stargate SG-1. Look up the Goa'uld for more information.

Re:

[Prune (557140)]

Oh. I don't like Stargate which is why I didn't recognize the reference.

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[lightspawn (155347)]

Oh come on... you could have tried harder.

Something like "Snakes in a brain".

Re:obligatory...

[sokoban (142301)]

That's it. I'm sick and tired of these motherfucking jokes about this motherfucking movie.

What Happens When They Get Loose?

[SRA8 (859587)]

And what happens when these snake robots get loose? Or jump into the toilet and get into our sewer system? Then what?

Re:

[ScrewMaster (602015)]

Or jump into the toilet and get into our sewer system? Then what?

You go get a plunger, that's what.

Robot-assisted surgery

[by Anonymous Coward]

I underwent robot-assisted surgery in 2003. A thoracic surgeon used Intuitive Surgical's daVinci robot to remove my thymus. The surgery was very successful. It was a minimally invasive procedure and the recovery was easy (compared to traditional open surgery).

http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/ [intuitivesurgical.com]

Computer Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology
http://cisstweb.cs.jhu.edu/ [jhu.edu]

Forbes article: Robo-docs
http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0904/100.ht ml [forbes.com]

Re:

[Prune (557140)]

So, like, do you miss your thymus?

For centuries alcohol helped surgeons

[NoSuchGuy (308510)]

Why not try alcohol?
For centuries alcohol helped surgeons supress their tremble.

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[flyonthewall (584734)]

Perfect cut!

                                  Wrong arm... :)

Re:For centuries alcohol helped surgeons

[elohim (512193)]

eye surgery is mentioned in the story, and i know a few ophthalmologists that take a drop of timolol (a beta blocker for treating high eye pressure) under their ongue before cataract surgery to suppress their tremor.

Re:

[Prune (557140)]

Studies show it is ineffective: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd= Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12375295&dopt=Abstrac t [nih.gov] You may wish to notify these ophthamologists.

Re:

[by Anonymous Coward]

As well as drivers, pilots, supertanker captains, crane operators, and nuclear reactor operators. It truly is a miracle drug. And as another benefit, if you are also smoking a cigar you will look cool.

Re:

[delvsional (745684)]

it is a federal offense to even HAVE alcohol in the control room at a nuclear power plant.

What about Cigars and strippers?

[spineboy (22918)]

If that's a crime, well then arrest me!

OK Hollywood!

[frank_adrian314159 (469671)]

You've got your marching orders! New summer blockbuster: Snakes in the OR!

How is this Different?

[chazchaz101 (871891)]

How is this "Snake like implement" different from what is used in arthroscopic surgery today?

sounds like

[FudRucker (866063)]

it is similar to the way i use snakes to un-clog the drain in my kitchen & bathrooms

Boy...

[risk one (1013529)]

My doctor told me that he was going to put his little snake down my throat when I was a kid, and he lost his license for it.

I guess robotic surgery was a much bigger taboo back then. Times sure have changed...

Hmm

[Dirtside (91468)]

"Snake-Robots To Assist Surgeons in Tight Spots"

Like, on a plane?

Re:

[Jah-Wren Ryel (80510)]

The Sequel:

I have had it with these motherfucking robots on this motherfucking plane!

We have an emergency...

[owlnation (858981)]

...call Dr Octopus!

Robots in the OR: Nothing new

[scottv67 (731709)]

We broadcast a robotic prostatectomy via the Internet a few months back from our hospital in Waukesha. I got to see the robot before the surgery. Pretty cool piece of hardware.

http://www.prohealthcare.org/WhatsNew.asp?PageID=W TN000035 [prohealthcare.org]

Waukesha Memorial recently performed its 100th surgery with the Da Vinci robot.

Re:

[oohshiny (998054)]

I hope they didn't use a snake robot for a prostatectomy...

zerg

[Lord Omlette (124579)]

I will believe in the healing power of technology if they invent an alternative to snaking a camera inside my goddamned urethra just because some quack thinks there might be a problem in that general region.

Smart probes

[mnmn (145599)]

I sense smart rectal probes coming to a pharmaceutical shelf near you. Bluetooth enabled no less.

Add a few virii infecting its programs and let the games begin.