Medical Research Council - London Institute of Medical Sciences

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Dr Robot
26 May 2012

Dr Robot

Slicing open the human body is a risky business. Traditional open surgery exposes a patient’s delicate innards to the elements, and to the potential for error by even the most skilled surgeon. To reduce these risks, the rising field of biomedical robotics is leading a revolution in minimally invasive surgery. Now a few small incisions in a patient’s skin can allow tiny microsurgical tools to slip into the body. This photograph shows the precise fingers of the da Vinci robot preparing to delve. A petite camera accompanies the dexterous tools, feeding back a 3D image of the scene beneath the skin. Remotely controlling each robotic limb with pinpoint precision, the surgeon navigates the internal environment with millimetre accuracy, without ever touching the patient.

Written by Anthony Lewis

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences the website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biomedicine. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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