Saw this story on CNN this morning, concerning remote robotic surgery on the battlefield:
CNN wrote:SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The Pentagon is awarding $12 million in grants to develop an unmanned "trauma pod" designed to use robots to perform full scalpel-and-stitch surgeries on wounded soldiers in battlefield conditions.
The researchers who pitched the Defense Department on the idea have prepared a futuristic "concept video" that seems straight out of a teen fantasy game, showing with full color and sound effects the notion that robots in unmanned vehicles can operate on soldiers under enemy fire and then evacuate them.
"The main challenge is how can we get high-quality medical care onto the battlefield as close to the action and as close to the soldiers as possible,"said John Bashkin, head of business development at SRI International, a nonprofit laboratory that often handles Defense Department research.
"Right now, the resources are pretty limited to what a medic can carry with him."
SRI researchers caution that the project remains at least a decade away from appearing on any battlefields. Surgeons will need to manipulate the robot in real time, using technology that prevents any delays between their commands and the robot's actions.
The "trauma pod" has to keep connected wirelessly without giving away its position to the enemy, and it has to be nimble and hardy enough to perform under fire.
Still, some of the initial technology is already being put to use in hospitals, and the goal of the initial $12 million project is relatively modest -- researchers hope to show that a surgeon, operating the robot remotely, can stitch together two blood vessels of a pig.
John 3:16-18 Warwolves G2
The University of North AlabamaLions!
Full surgeries are a luxury of time when you have a lineup of wounded waiting and your primary goal becomes to save as many lives as possible in the little time you might have; There is no real substitute for having someone quick and mobile able to deliver even basic first aid.
Note: I'm semi-retired from the board, so if you need something, please be patient.
