Robot, pass me the scissors! How robots can assist us in the operating room

Abstract

The inclusion of robotics and automation to support and augment surgical performance offers the promise of shorter operating times, higher accuracy and fewer risks compared with traditional, human-only surgery. This paper discusses current research in the area of surgical robotics and human-robot collaboration. A multimodal robotic scrub nurse (Gestonurse) for the operating room (OR) is presented as a case study. Gestonurse assists the main surgeon by passing surgical instruments, thereby releasing the surgical technician to perform other tasks. Such a robotic system has the potential to reduce miscommunication and compensate for understaffing. The implications of the introduction of surgical robots, as assistants rather than autonomous agents, are discussed in terms of the societal and technological requirements. Quantitative and qualitative findings are presented as evidence to support the guidelines discussed. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.