NASA’s space surgery trial has been hailed a triumph in its test of remote-controlled robotic surgery.
In an incredible achievement for medical science and space exploration, NASA’s earth-bound surgeons remotely controlled a miniature robot aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
It marks the first-ever simulation of a surgical procedure conducted in orbit – albeit on rubber bands.
The journey of this pioneering surgical robot began on 30 January, when it launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and reached the ISS.
Developed by Virtual Incision in collaboration with the University of Nebraska, the SpaceMIRA robot is the first on the space station. It represents a significant advancement in remote surgery technology.
Led by a team of surgeons across the US, the trial witnessed the flawless execution of a surgical simulation aboard the ISS using the miniature robot.
Crafted under the guidance of UNL’s Shane Farritor, the co-founder of Virtual Incision, the robot showcased its capabilities under demanding space conditions, setting a new benchmark for remote surgery.
Described as a ‘huge success’ by participants, the experiment marks a crucial step forward in space surgery, offering potential solutions for medical emergencies during extended crewed missions, such as those planned for Mars exploration.
The technology holds promise for revolutionising healthcare accessibility on Earth, particularly in isolated regions where traditional surgical resources may be limited.
The trial lasted approximately two hours and involved six surgeons remotely operating the robot from Virtual Incision's headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Equipped with a camera and two arms, the robot performed standard surgical techniques, including grasping, manipulating, and cutting simulated tissue made of rubber bands.
Despite the challenges posed by the 0.85-second time lag between Earth and the ISS, the experiment proceeded smoothly, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of remote-controlled robotic surgery in space.
Virtual Incision emphasised the significance of this achievement, asserting that it will ‘change the future of surgery’.
NASA, which provided financial support for the project, underscored the importance of such advancements for future space missions, where the potential need for emergency care, including surgical procedures, is expected to increase.
Innovations like the SpaceMIRA robotic system offer hope for addressing the final frontier’s unique healthcare challenges but could also benefit healthcare delivery on home ground.
Credit: Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing.
Nebraska engineering professor and Virtual Incision co-founder Shane Farritor watches as Dr Michael Jobst, a colorectal surgery specialist in Lincoln, makes the first surgical robotic cut on the International Space Station. Using controls at the Virtual Incision offices in Lincoln, surgeons cut rubber bands – mimicking surgery inside a payload box on the Space Station.
