Surgeons have controlled a space-based surgical robot from Earth for the first time

Surgeons this weekend managed to remotely control a small surgical robot aboard the International Space Station and simulate the basic techniques used during the operation from Earth. This first represents a new step for the development of surgery in space, which may be necessary to treat medical emergencies during manned missions lasting several years, for example on Mars. These advances could also help develop remote surgery on Earth, benefiting the shortage of surgeons in remote areas.

The robot, developed by the company Virtual Incision and the University of Nebraska, is called Spacemira. It took off for the International Space Station (ISS) in late January on cargo carried by a SpaceX rocket. It was placed inside a microwave-sized box, making it easy to transport.

“Big Success”

Last Thursday, it was launched and inspected by astronaut Loral O’Hara, who is currently in the flying laboratory. The experiment was then conducted from Virtual Incision’s headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday. It lasted about two hours and involved six surgeons. They were able to remotely control the robot, which is equipped with a camera and two arms. “The experiment tested standard surgical techniques such as grasping, manipulating and cutting tissue”, said the virtual surgeon. Biological tissue was simulated here by elastic bands. In a video shared by the company, we can see one hand equipped with pliers grasping the elastic to stretch it and the other hand cutting it with scissors, to mimic the rubber banding technique. Dissection.

The difficulty of such an operation lies in the delay between Earth and the ISS, which was 0.85 seconds. To assess the impact, the full data retrieved will be compared to similar tasks performed with the same equipment, but on Earth. However, the experience is already worth it “Great success by all surgeons and researchers, and few if any pitfalls”Virtual surgery said. “The surgeon believes this experience will change the future of surgery.”

The project received financial support from NASA. The American agency estimates that with long-duration space exploration missions, “The potential need for emergency care is increasing, including surgical procedures ranging from simple stitches on cuts to more complex operations”.