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Medical professionals on Earth have used a remote-controlled robot to conduct simulated surgery on the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant advancement in the field of space medicine. If you are curious about which astronaut was subjected to becoming the experimental subject, rest assured that the surgical operation is currently confined to a collection of elastic bands.
The crucial robot, with about the dimensions of a microwave oven, was conveyed to the International Space Station (ISS) by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in late January 2024. It was then deployed by NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara on February 8, as reported by AFP. Developed by Nebraska-based Virtual Incision, spaceMIRA is touted as the world’s first miniature robotic-assisted surgical device.
Shortly thereafter, doctors in Virtual Incision’s main office, located around 400 kilometers (250 miles) below the International Space Station’s orbit, assumed control of spaceMIRA and conducted a simulated surgical procedure on the flexible imitation tissue.
Six doctors alternated, using one of the robot’s appendages to exert strain on the tissue while employing the other to meticulously slice it using scissors. It is a commonly used method in several surgical procedures, and it was executed flawlessly.
The promise of SpaceMIRA lies in its small form and agility. “The technology provides the surgeons on Earth with smaller hands and eyes, enabling them to perform numerous minimally invasive procedures,” said Shane Farritor, Virtual Incision’s cofounder and CTO, in an interview with CNN.
One significant restriction is the time delay of around 0.85 seconds between the Earth’s operations center and the robot on the ISS. Although it may not seem substantial, according to colorectal surgeon Dr. Michael Jobst, who participated in the demonstration, “Five seconds would be an exceedingly long period of time during a surgical procedure, and even a fraction of a second would have a notable impact.” This was a significant issue.
Nevertheless, these successful experiments signify a significant advancement in the endeavor to enhance medical care accessibility in space. This endeavor has already seen the implementation of a hologram doctor like those shown in Star Trek on the International Space Station.
The advent of long-distance space travel is imminent, and several individuals want to establish colonies on unfamiliar celestial bodies or construct advanced space stations. Considering the many and diverse negative medical conditions that may arise from this, including the subject of the first feature film recorded in space, it is fortunate that space surgery seems to be advancing well.
“In many parts of the US, there is a lack of access to specialized medical professionals. If it were possible to perform telesurgery, where an expert from a larger city could remotely assist with surgical care in a rural area, this would offer significant benefits.”
In a statement, John Murphy, the president and CEO of Virtual Incision, expressed the same sentiment. “While it is exciting to have our technology deployed in space, we anticipate that the significant effects of this research will be primarily observed on Earth.” The implementation of miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery has the capacity to transform healthcare by enabling the readiness of every operating theater for robotic procedures.
Whether it occurs in the most isolated areas of our globe or in outer space, the availability of assistance for medical problems might seem more remote than ever. Thanks to technological advancements such as these, surgeons may have the opportunity to do life-saving treatments from distances spanning hundreds of kilometers, and maybe even across the whole globe in the future.
