Zero-Gravity Robotic Surgery
SRI Robo-Doc Performs at 34,000 Feet
Researchers from the University of Cincinanati and SRI University will be using a robot to conduct zero gravity surgery. In this first of its kind attempt, the type of surgery, and the name of the victim, uh, patient, were not given. News.com reported that the surgery will be the, "First-ever robotic surgery in simulated zero-gravity aboard a NASA C-9 aircraft flying 34,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico, it was announced yesterday. The C-9, aka the "Weightless Wonder," will simulate the microgravity of space and variable gravity of military critical care air transports by performing 40 parabolas per flight, each 18 to 25 seconds long."
Trend Themes
1. Zero-gravity Surgery - The development of surgical technologies for zero-gravity conditions, like robotics, presents opportunities for disruption in space travel and military medicine.
2. Remote-surgery Robotics - The advancement of robotics as surgical instruments and methods, such as remote surgeries, can be disruptive for telemedicine, virtual healthcare, and the military sector.
3. Microgravity Healthcare Research - The proliferation of microgravity research in studies related to human healthcare along with technological advancements, such as AI- and robotics-based systems, offers disruptive prospects for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace - Researching ways to conduct surgical procedures in zero-gravity environments in space travel propels modernization initiatives for aerospace industries.
2. Telemedicine - Robotic and remote surgery technologies will revolutionize traditional surgery methods and offer innovative practices for telemedicine and virtual healthcare companies and specialists.
3. Pharmaceutical & Medicine - Microgravity research in medical science and the development of AI and robotics-based surgical systems offer potential disruptive opportunities to drive breakthroughs and advancements in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.