Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I ST I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 60 ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGERY MAKES PROCEDURES LESS INVASIVE Systems like the da Vinci Surgical System help surgeons perform procedures remotely from a console, with enhanced control and magnified vision. The surgeon is entirely in control of the procedure at all times, and the system makes the procedure more precise and less prone to human error. Equipped with multi-jointed instruments and high-definition cameras, these systems make surgeries less invasive and allow for faster healing time. In contrast to traditional surgeries, robot-assisted surgeries reduce the size of the incision, accelerating the healing time and greatly reducing the risk of infection. The cameras also allow surgeons a 360-degree view of the area. ROBOTS CAN DELIVER FOOD, DRUGS, AND RUN ERRANDS IN HOSPITALS TUG robots use mapping technology to learn the layout of a hospital and transport medication and supplies around the facility. These robots are equipped with "biometric secu- rity measures," which ensures the drugs they are transporting reach the doctors they are supposed to. TUG robots have the capability to transport up to 1,000 pounds of cargo, and are equipped with a touchscreen that will send them to anywhere they needs to go. After the TUG has finished the task, it brings itself back to the charging dock to await the next task. These are especially helpful for overnight errands, as it reduces the need for overnight staffing. COMFORTING THERAPEUTIC ROBOTS SOOTHE PATIENTS Therapeutic robots can be equipped with tactile sensors, and some can actually seek out eye contact. They are utilized in care for a variety of patients, from interacting with individuals with dementia to calming nervous children during treatment. The first of these adorable robots was a famous stuffed seal named Paro, designed specifically to provoke a calming, emotional response from users. Robots such as the Aflac's robotic therapy duck have been distributed to hospitals to comfort children with cancer, where they can do mock treatments with the duck, and even give the fluffy robotic companion simulated chemotherapy. The duck can mimic breathing and a heartbeat, giving children the feeling of holding a living animal. Human-like robots are also in circulation. The QTrobot from LuxAI is a therapy robot that helps teach social skills to children with autism, removing the need to communicate with other people during select therapy sessions. The company says the unintimidating human-shaped robot can help by normalizing the ex- perience of interacting with a human without overwhelming variables such as facial expressions and unintentional tonal changes. EXOSKELETONS ENHANCE INDEPENDENCE AND MOBILITY With the help of various powered exoskeletons, individu- als with limited mobility are able to move more on their own. The exoskeletons, built with a variety of ca- pabilities, weight ranges, and availabilities can aid people with reduced mobility due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, stroke patients, and more. These are wear- able devices that support limbs and enable system-assisted walking. They can be programmed to assist on different levels, enabling progress with each individual patient. HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) is an advanced example, demonstrating the in- credible progress being made with robotic- assisted mobility. A HAL suit can recognize biosignals on the skin, sensing nerve signals fired after the user attempts to move part of the body. After detecting these signals, the suit aids in moving the part of the body with a control system comprised of Cybernic Voluntary Control (CVC) and a robotic control system, the Cybernic Autonomous Control (CAC). These exoskeletons have the potential to improve countless lives. WAYS ROBOTS 8 ARE IMPACTING MEDICINE AND HEALTH W HEN IT COMES TO ROBOTICS IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE, THE FUTURE IS NOW. Robotics are used in almost every sector of medical care, and their prevalence and capabilities are increasing every year. From systems that allow surgeons to operate remotely, to caregiving robots helping ease the burden of in-home care, the advancement of robotics impacting medicine and health cannot be understated. Here are eight of the most helpful, technologically advanced, and fascinating uses for robotics at use or in development in medicine and health today. by MAGGIE SLEPIAN 1 4 2 3

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