Surgical robots in space? The World's Most Remote Surgery

January 21st, 2024 - NASA is ready to send a surgical robot and a 3D metal printer to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Cygnus cargo spacecraft, scheduled for launch in late January on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), will conduct a range of scientific research, including testing 3D metal printers, semiconductor manufacturing, and surgical robotics. These studies are designed to enhance the sustainability of space missions and to fuel Earth technologies and healthcare.

Space Telerobotic Surgery

Space Telerobotic Surgery is a technique whereby a robot is manipulated remotely to perform surgery. The main goal of this technique is to overcome the limitations of geographic location, allowing doctors to operate on astronauts in space from anywhere on Earth.

The key component of this technology is a remotely operated robotic surgical system. Such systems typically include a surgical robot, a remote console, and a high-speed communication link. The surgical robot is on a spacecraft or space station and is monitored and maintained by astronauts. The remote console is on Earth and is operated by a doctor. The high-speed communication link connects the two, allowing the doctor to control the surgical robot in real time.

Surgical robots typically include a set of sophisticated robotic arms and surgical tools, as well as a set of high-definition cameras. The robotic arms and surgical tools can simulate the movements of the doctor's hands and surgical instruments to perform surgical operations such as cutting and suturing. The high-definition camera can provide real-time images of the surgical scene to help the surgeon judge the surgical process.

A telepod typically consists of a set of controls and a display device. The controls can be either a gamepad-like device or an advanced virtual reality device that allows the surgeon to control the surgical robot in an intuitive manner. The display device is used to show images of the surgical site, as well as information about the status of the surgical robot.

High-speed communication links are the key to this technology. Due to the distance between Earth and Space, there is a delay in signal propagation. In order to allow the surgeon to maneuver the surgical robot in real time, a high-speed communication link is required, as well as efficient data compression and transmission techniques.

The development of remote robotic surgery technology in space will not only improve the safety of space exploration, but also advance telemedicine technology on Earth.

This demonstration of robotic surgical techniques tests the performance of a micro-robot that can be remotely controlled from Earth to perform surgical procedures. The researchers plan to compare surgery in microgravity with surgery performed on Earth to assess the impact of microgravity and the time delay between space and the ground.

The research is being led by Virtual Incision in collaboration with the University of Nebraska. The micro-robot will use two "hands" (microscopic robotic arms) to grasp and cut simulated surgical tissue and provide tension for determining where and how to cut.

Longer space mission execution cycles increase the probability that the crew will need to perform surgical procedures, whether it is a simple suture or an emergency appendectomy. The results of this research study could support the development of surgical robotic systems to perform such surgeries.

In addition, the number of surgeons in rural areas of the United States decreased by nearly one-third between 2001 and 2019. The ability to miniaturize and remotely control robots can help provide surgical expertise on a global scale and address the challenge of a shortage of surgeons in remote areas.

MIRA Surgical Robotic Platform

The MIRA Surgical Robotic Platform is a surgical system researched and developed by Vitual ncision corporaion, compact and sleekly designed to fully utilize the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery in bowel resection procedures.Vitual ncision is a company focused on developing advanced miniaturized robotic-assisted surgical technology. Their MIRA (Miniatunized Invivo Robotic Assistant) surgical robotics platform is designed to allow surgeons to perform complex surgeries while minimizing trauma to the patient.Key features of the MIRA surgical robotics platform include:

1. Miniaturized design: MIRA surgical robot is so small that it can be inserted directly into the patient's body to perform surgery without the need for a large incision.

2. High degree of autonomy: MIRA Surgical Robot can operate autonomously under the supervision of the surgeon, reducing the surgeon's workload.

3. Precise operation: MIRA surgical robot can perform precise surgical operations, such as cutting, suturing, etc., to reduce the risk of surgical process.

4. Real-time feedback: MIRA Surgical Robot can provide real-time images and data of the surgical scene to help doctors judge the surgical process.

5. Ease of use: The MIRA surgical robot's user interface is simple and easy to use, allowing doctors to get started quickly.

The MIRA Surgical Robot platform's application areas include colon resection, gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, and so on.

Virtual Incision's vision and mission is to simplify robot-assisted surgery and bring robots into every operating room, even every surgery. With over 200 patents and patent applications, MIRA, the first miniature and highly flexible RAS (Robot Assisted Surgery) platform of its kind, is the first surgical robot of its kind.The MIRA Surgical System's compact and sleek design is designed to maximize the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery in bowel resection procedures.

MIRA Surgical Robot System Components:

1. Micro-Arm: The Micro-Arm is the main actuator of the MIRA system. The Micro-Arm weighs approximately 2 pounds (900 grams) and is small enough to mimic a surgeon's hand for delicate surgical procedures. It is designed to be flexible enough to maneuver in tight spaces, which greatly improves surgical precision and safety. And MIRA is a device equipped with a full HD 1080p / 60 Hz camera with autofocus, night vision function, anti-shake function, etc.

2. Trolley: The cart is used to carry the micro-arm and other equipment, which makes it easy for the surgeon to move around the operating room. The cart is also equipped with a power supply and control system, which can provide stable power and control signals for the miniature arm.

3. Doctor's Console: The doctor's console is the control center of the MIRA system, where the doctor can control the movement of the micro-arm with joysticks and buttons. The console also has a display that shows real-time images of the surgery to help the surgeon perform precise maneuvers.

MIRA focuses first on colon resection and later development of specialized robots will be available for other potential applications. Such as hernia and other potential applications such as repair, cholecystectomy, anti-reflux surgery, splenectomy, adrenalectomy, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, hysterectomy, and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. Millions of surgeries are potentially possible each year.