The technology could also be used to develop remote-controlled surgery techniques on Earth.
United States Washington:
Over the weekend, surgeons on Earth remotely controlled a small robot aboard the International Space Station to perform the first-ever surgery of its kind in orbit, albeit with a rubber band.
The experiment, considered a “huge success” by participants, represents a new step in the development of space surgery, which may become necessary to treat medical emergencies during multi-year manned voyages, such as to Mars.
The technology could also be used to develop remote-controlled surgery techniques on Earth to provide services in remote areas.
The robot, developed by Virtual Incision (VIC) and the University of Nebraska, is called space MIRA.
It flew to the International Space Station in late January with a payload carried by a SpaceX rocket.
The robot, housed in a compact box the size of a microwave, was installed last Thursday by NASA astronaut Lora O’Hara, who has been in space since last September.
The experiment took place Saturday at Virtual Incision’s headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The entire process lasted about two hours as six surgeons tried to operate the robot, which is equipped with a camera and two arms.
“The experiment tested standard surgical techniques such as grasping, manipulating and cutting tissue. The simulated tissue consisted of rubber bands,” Virtual Incision said in a statement.
In a video shared by the company, one arm equipped with pliers can be seen grabbing the strap and stretching it, while another arm equipped with scissors makes the cut – mimicking dissection.
A key difficulty is the time lag between the Earth Operations Center and the International Space Station, which is approximately 0.85 seconds.
For control experiments, the same process will be performed on Earth using the same equipment.
Virtual Incision said in a statement that “all surgeons and researchers considered the experiment a huge success with few problems,” and claimed it would “change the future of surgery.”
NASA, which provides some financial support for the project, said that as space missions lengthen, “the potential need for emergency care will increase, including surgical procedures ranging from simple suturing of lacerations to more complex activities.”
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