Autonomous Robotic Heart Surgeon

The report of autonomous robotic surgery was probably a misunderstanding of robotics such as this da Vinci unit. http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/index.aspx the Company’s website leads to live demonstrations, which are amazing to watch. It is difficult to explain, but the technical skill of the robotic instruments exceeds that of the surgeon with instruments in hand. This is due to the small size of the robotic instruments and hands and to the attachments of sensors to the fingers of the remotely positioned surgeon. A 3D video presentation of the surgical field and a seated ergonomically designed workstation add to the potential technical skill. Give the Italians credit for the Ferrari but not an autonomous AI robotic heart surgeon. --- Prostate, maybe.

The report suggests that the surgery may be for arrhythmias. If so, it is conceivable that an autonomous protocol might be in use to identify the fibers that are responsible for the arrhythmia and excise them. Such would be far less than complex cardiac surgery. The reports cited are probably published but under the heading of ablation of arrhythmias. The Italians have pioneered some surgical approaches to management of arrhythmias previously relegated to medical/pharmacologic treatment. I was not a Cardiologist, so should say no more.
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