To date, robotic technologies have stepped far forward, so the concept of treating people has changed significantly. Based on the number of research teams currently manufacturing robots, enormous progress is being made in medicine, especially when compared with the success of eight years ago.
The first successful activities to create artificial intelligence came in 2006, when the scientist Sylvan Martel assembled a research group and created a unique at that time tiny robot, the dimensions of which barely exceeded the ball from an ordinary pen. This artificial organism was placed in the carotid artery of a live pig, where it successfully moved to predetermined points. Since then, robots in medicine have occupied their niche and continue to actively develop. And judging by the experience of the past few years, these technologies are moving in huge steps.
The benefits of robots
The main goal of creating such “helpers” is to move not only along the largest human arteries, but also to obtain data from areas with narrow blood vessels. Thanks to this, the use of robots in medicine will allow you to perform fairly complex operations without traumatic intervention. Thus, the risk of mortality from too aggressive anesthesia or due to the fact that the patient suffers from an allergic reaction to a particular drug is significantly reduced.
However, this is not the only plus of using robots in medicine. For example, similar technologies can help treat cancer. The fact is that microrobots are able to deliver drugs directly to the focus of malignancy. Unlike chemotherapy, when aggressive drugs spread throughout the patient’s body and cause irreparable consequences, this method will not cause a strong blow to the human immune system.
Modern robots in medicine are able to cope with a large list of tasks. However, today there remain a lot of questions regarding how to make such a small artificial organism move through the blood or track its location. But some modern developments allow you to cope with the tasks. Let's consider them in more detail.
"Bio-rockets"
These medical aid robots are a kind of titanium core encased in aluminum shells. Moreover, their size does not exceed 20 microns. When the aluminum shell comes into contact with water, a reaction begins during which hydrogen is formed on the surface of the core. It is this substance that causes the microstructure to move at a speed equal to 150 of its diameters per second. This is equivalent to the fact that a person 2 meters tall is able to swim 300 meters in the same amount of time. The chemical engine of this unique robot in medicine is used thanks to the addition of a special substance - gallium. This component reduces the rate of formation of oxide plaque. Thanks to this, the microrobot can work out for about 5 minutes with a maximum range of 900 mm (provided that it is in water).
To direct the microscopic assembly in a given direction, an external magnetic field is used. Thus, "bio-rocket" is applicable for the delivery of drugs to a specific point in the human body.
Muscle robots
This is a rather interesting area of robotics. Muscular robots in medicine are used to stimulate muscle cells. Such microscopic aggregates work by means of the electrical impulses that they transmit. The robots themselves are a kind of ridges made of hydrogel. They work on the same principle as in mammals. For example, when it comes to the human body, the muscles begin to contract due to tendons. In the case of a microrobot, this process occurs due to the electric charge.
Da vinci
The Leonardo robot has gained particular popularity in medicine. It was created to replace surgeons in the future. Today, this independent mechanism weighing 500 kg, equipped with four “hands”, is able to cope with a huge number of tasks. Three of his limbs are equipped with miniature tools for performing complex operations. On the fourth “arm” is a tiny video camera.
The way such robots work in medicine, the photo shows the best. Da Vinci is able to operate through the tiniest cuts, the width of which is not more than a few centimeters. Due to this, after surgery, the patient does not remain ugly scars.
In the process, "Leonardo" at some distance from him sits a medical worker who controls the console. Thanks to the modern joystick, the doctor can perform complex manipulations with jewelry accuracy. All actions are transmitted to the limbs of the robot, which repeats the movements of the fingers.
It is also worth noting that the “arms” of the unit are slightly different from human hands in that the manipulators are able to work in modes. In addition, the artificial “fingers” do not get tired and can instantly freeze if the operator accidentally releases the control panel. The doctor can control his movements with powerful eyepieces, which allow you to enlarge the picture 12 times.
"Kyrobo"
This interesting robot was designed specifically for astronauts who are under psychological pressure, being so far from their home planet. The humanoid machine is small in size. Her height is only 34 cm. However, this is quite enough. The robot is able to maintain a full conversation, respond to questions and simulate “live” communication. The only negative of the new development is that it communicates so far exclusively in Japanese.
The robot perfectly distinguishes human speech from other sounds. In addition, he is able to recognize people with whom he has already communicated before. He can determine the mood based on facial expressions and generally knows how much. If necessary, he can even hug.
Some scientists believe that these intelligent robots are not needed in medicine. However, they may well find application in psychotherapy.
"PARO"
This assistant works as a zoologist. Outwardly, it was created in the form of a baby seal. The outer shell of the robot is made of soft material that resembles a natural white skin of a real animal. Inside, it is full of all kinds of sensors (touch, temperature, light, position, sound, etc.). This full-fledged artificial intelligence is well aware of where it is located, it is able to respond to its name. A unique robot with a touching muzzle distinguishes rudeness and affectionate attitude.
Today, this interesting robot is already widely used for the treatment of various categories of patients. You can stroke, hug, chat with him or just talk about your experiences. In the future, these robots will be sent to nursing homes, kindergartens and rehabilitation centers to help people suffering from psychological distress. Very often, in the postoperative period, patients need support, but it is impossible to keep animals in medical institutions, so this artificial intelligence will be a real breakthrough in restorative medicine.
Hospie
This robot is designed to replace pharmacists. This will help medical staff significantly save time on finding the right drugs and delivering them to the walls of hospitals. By and large, this assistant is a robotic first-aid kit, the height of which is 130 cm. The robot is capable of transporting weight up to 20 kg, this is quite enough to move a large number of various medicines and samples around the hospital. When moving, Hospi is able to go around obstacles, so the risk that he will encounter staff or visitors to the hospital is reduced to almost zero.
"RP Vita"
This robot is capable of assisting with distance counseling. The virtual "assistant" allows the attending physician to make a detour in a matter of minutes. In addition, thanks to the robot, it becomes possible to monitor the condition of seriously ill patients requiring special attention throughout the day and night.
The height of the miracle of technology is 1.5 meters. Inside the robot, a system of special sound and laser sensors is installed, due to which the aggregate route is built. It is also equipped with a screen on which the face of the attending physician will be displayed. Thanks to this, full communication with patients who fully feel the presence of a medical officer is imitated. RP Vita is also equipped with modern diagnostic tools. A laptop or tablet is enough to work with the unit.
Hal
This robot is a specialized exoskeleton, thanks to which paralyzed people can fully move.
The sensors of the equipment are fixed on the skin of patients and begin to read the strength of the pulses that come from certain muscles. If any node does not work fully, the exoskeleton is activated, and the organs receive the charges necessary for their work.
Today, the robot is presented in two versions: the whole skeleton or just for the legs.
Watson
This supercomputer is equipped immediately with 90 servers with four processors, each of which has eight cores. The RAM of the robot is sixteen terabytes. Watson is an oncologist who can diagnose in a short time. The unit is equipped with excellent artificial intelligence, so it is able to quickly read information and draw the necessary conclusions. In a matter of minutes, the robot processes up to 600,000 medical directories and other documents necessary for diagnosis. The doctor needs to load the patient’s medical history into the robot’s memory and get a probable diagnosis. In addition, Watson can only be asked questions in writing so far.
Finally
Based on rapidly developing technologies, it is not difficult to conclude that robots in medicine will be indispensable in the future. They will allow medical institutions to move to a new level of diagnosis and treatment of the most complex diseases. In this case, we are also talking about mental patients.