Advances in artificial intelligence are bringing the possibility of autonomous robotic surgery closer every day, according to a panel of Johns Hopkins University robotics experts.
In a recent virtual briefing for journalists, "What Every Reporter Should Know About AI: The Latest in Robotic Surgery," researchers from the Whiting School of Engineering explored the fast-changing field of robotic surgery, exploring in particular how AI is being used to enhance robotic capabilities. The session launched of a new monthly series on AI organized by the university's Office of Communications.
Video credit: Johns Hopkins University
Here are highlights from the panel:
Medical robotics pioneer Russell Taylor, a professor of computer science:
"When we're dealing with surgical robots, we really are dealing with complementary capabilities," he said. "We have some common capabilities, but machines are good at things that we are maybe less good at, and the other way around. What we want our partnership to achieve is the best of both worlds."
Taylor said the current paradigm in research is for physicians to use their expertise to inform the robot about the surgical plan, and then have the robot perform it precisely while following safety protocols.
"It's like power steering in a car," Taylor said. "The (human) surgeon and the robot both have the tool, but the robot is following the hand of the human."
Axel Krieger, a medical roboticist and associate professor of mechanical engineering, said autonomous robots could fill a critical role: a shortage of surgeons:
"We have fewer surgeons available," he said. "We also have an aging, growing society, and the caseload is projected to rise more than twofold in the next 10 years. So we really need more assistance to keep up with that rising caseload."
Krieger said robotic surgery is becoming more autonomous as the technology advances.
