As automation and robotic technology continues to be enhanced and improved, more patients may find themselves in the “hands” of a robotic device for their surgical procedure – assisted by the human surgeon, as well. Robots have been 
developed that can operate on soft tissue and have proven to be more adept at the procedure than human surgeons.
The robot devices were equipped with custom lenses on a panoptic camera that enables it to determine where items are, in a three-dimensional space, and adds near-infrared night vision technology to further enhance the devices “view.” Fluorescent markers are added to the area being operated on and that allows the robot to “see” and follow the movement of the soft tissue.
The robot’s test case was to perform an anastomotic surgery which involved connecting two pieces of pig intestine. This procedure was chosen because it is fairly difficult to perform because it involves being able to precisely guide tools through the delicate tissue. The robot was given seven degrees of freedom and an articulated suturing tool.
The robot, with the assistance of a surgeon was able to perform a laparoscopy; it performed both ex vivo and in vivo procedures and the pigs who underwent the procedure all survived.
The future of the robotic technology will not eliminate humans in the operating room, but will assist them with procedures. The robots are intended to expand the human capacity through enhanced vision, dexterity and complementary machine intelligence.
Universe Kogaku designs and manufactures optical lenses for surgical and medical procedures and medical imaging needs.