Applications of medical robots are evolving in various fields of healthcare, such as exoskeletons, care robots, and hospital robots. More than 250,000 people die each year in the United States from medical errors, some of which are probably preventable. Today, advances in surgical techniques and technology have given surgeons more precise control over a variety of procedures. For example, robotics can enhance a surgeon’s precision with her magnified 3D high-definition vision and a mechanism that straps to the surgeon’s wrist and hand. The result is a less invasive procedure, faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and long-term cost savings.
The industry develops and expands on a regular basis and shows no signs of stopping. The medical robotics industry is valued at $10.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% through 2030. Technological advances are driving this steady growth as new and upgraded processes and products enter the industry. Year. From robotic catheter control systems to lab assistants, these technologies are poised to continue improving patient care around the world.
The use of robotic technology has been around for decades. The first robots entered the medical field as surgeon assistants in the 1980s and were introduced in radiation therapy in the 1990s. Although these technologies have advanced, they are still used today, along with many other applications such as exoskeletons, nursing, and prosthetics. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic surged the demand for public health and rapid medical care. Robots can help disinfect public and clinical areas via UV light to reduce disease transmission. Restrictions on movement have increased the need for remote care by digitally diagnosing and monitoring patients without compromising quality. In these situations, robotic assistance must be combined with human input to create the fastest and most efficient team possible while still providing the care, support, and human touch patients need.
Robotics in the world of medical devices
The applications and benefits of robotics in the medical device world are extensive and continue to grow. Here are some emerging applications for robotics.
- Robot-assisted surgery and radiotherapyThe benefits of robotics in this field are life-changing. Surgical robots can assist surgeons by securely holding tools while using them with absolute precision through a variety of attachments and disposable accessories. Patients can be repositioned during radiotherapy without the need for anyone to enter the room, reducing overall procedure time.
- Lab. As with automating any process, using robots in a lab environment reduces human error, speeds up processes, and removes repetitive tasks from worker queues, freeing workers for other priorities. You can focus on things. The result is improved employee satisfaction and lower overall costs. Additionally, lab robots can perform tasks that are harmful to humans, such as tasks involving hazardous chemicals.
- prosthesis. Robotic appendages have advanced over the years, from basic functions such as grasping and walking to more complex functions such as precise finger movements, crouching and jumping. Prostheses not only improve the quality of life of the user, but also help the patient regain motor function. There is also ongoing development to mind control robotics.
- rehabilitation and exoskeletonWhether recovering from surgery or coping with an injury, exoskeletons can provide significant rehabilitation for patients. This type of robot senses electrical pulses in the human body to enable muscle-rebuilding movements. They have been shown to save physical therapists time, help more people, improve patients’ emotional well-being, and contribute to faster recovery.
- social support. Social robots, also called care robots, specialize in meeting the emotional needs of patients, especially those who are elderly or isolated. These robots can talk and play games to provide companionship while simultaneously monitoring for signs of distress and responding to calls for help. Assist patients with tasks such as getting out of bed, taking their temperature, and reminding them to take their medications. This medical device sector is expected to grow further in places like Japan, where the number of caregivers is declining while there is an influx of older people.
- hospital robotNursing robots, like those used in laboratories, can take on mundane or repetitive tasks, freeing up doctors and nursing staff for more human-centric activities. These robots can assist with routine tasks such as drawing blood, disinfecting rooms, measuring vital signs, lifting and moving patients, and delivering items such as medicines and laboratory specimens. This support increases staff morale and reduces turnover.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) training and coaching. While nothing new, AI trainers and coaches are constantly evolving, allowing users to train and recover at home. A virtual reality setup allows him to run trails across faraway lands while staying in his living room. Technology doesn’t stop there. AI algorithms are being developed for robotic software that enable doctors to diagnose patients faster and more accurately and create treatment plans specifically designed to meet their exact needs.
- microbot. Still, microbots in development may be able to operate at the cellular level when performing surgeries, allowing them to make the most precise cuts possible, thereby shortening recovery times. The possibilities are endless.
Overcoming challenges
With the increasing use of robotic medical devices and technological advances comes several challenges. Among them are the initial costs. Robots, their accessories, and their software can be a costly endeavor that escalates as equipment becomes more sophisticated. Thorough research and steady, calculated integration can mitigate this. Not only is your investment improved and countless lives saved, but the money saved from problems caused by human error and wasted time performing repetitive or redundant tasks will soon pay for the upgrade. It will match. A good place to start is with human-assisted robots. Once trust is built, facilities can proceed with further implementations.
AI and robotics in general have generated a lot of interest, but there is also mistrust, posing challenges for both patients and medical staff. Some are concerned about the long-term potential of advancing AI, others are wary of the unknown, and others worry about mechanical failure. Some fear being replaced by robots. It should not be different from the truth. AI can reduce the time spent researching, diagnosing, and performing tasks to a fraction of the time humans complete them. People are essential to software monitoring and error coding, thereby reducing the likelihood of problems. Additionally, any malfunctions found must be repaired by humans.
Other benefits
Patient safety is one of the most important benefits of robotic medical devices. Surgical robots can automate some or all of certain processes, compensating for human limitations, such as surgeons working on large, exhausting surgeries for hours. Not only does surgical precision help surgeons perform faster, it also allows patients to recover faster and leave scars smaller. The ability to perform delicate tasks declines with age and medical conditions, so robots assisting humans can take on elements that require precision, and experienced surgeons can make quick decisions based on their extensive knowledge. increase.
Long-term cost savings benefit individual medical facilities and the industry as a whole. These savings can ripple through to patients, insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry, and more. Costs such as staff overtime, lengthy hospital stays, physical therapy, home care, and travel are reduced, offsetting robotics costs.
There is a shortage of medical staff in many areas, from rural areas to foreign countries. In addition, professionals are in high demand for various unusual medical examinations. Using robotics, an expert surgeon can be in her one country and perform emergency surgeries around the world via remote her navigation. It can greatly reduce the loss of life caused by doctors not being able to see patients in time.
The healthcare industry is evolving dramatically, between slow steps like long-term drug evaluations and rapid leaps like the 2020 pandemic that pushed people’s expectations of healthcare to new limits. Both will continue to evolve. Machine learning (ML) is a form of AI that helps software applications become more accurate in predicting outcomes using historical data. This is far more information than humans can learn or remember. Physicians can use these algorithms to determine a patient’s chances of survival with much greater accuracy. With the right infrastructure, healthcare flexibility creates new opportunities to provide better care for both patients and healthcare professionals. Robotics, powered by technologies such as virtual reality, ML and AI, are the future of the world of medical devices and will save countless lives.
