History and Development of Surgical Robots

Surgical robots have been in development for over three decades, and their history can be traced back to the early 1980s. In 1985, the first surgical robot, known as the PUMA 560, was introduced by Unimation, a company that was later acquired by Westinghouse. The PUMA 560 was primarily used to perform neurosurgical biopsies.

How it started

In the late 1980s, the US Army started funding research in surgical robotics, which led to the development of the first laparoscopic surgical robot, called the Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning (AESOP). The AESOP was designed to assist surgeons during minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic surgeries, by controlling the endoscope.

Game changing technology

In the 1990s, the da Vinci surgical system was developed by Intuitive Surgical. The da Vinci system was the first surgical robot to be approved by the FDA for use in general laparoscopic surgery. It features four robotic arms and a 3D camera, allowing surgeons to perform surgeries with enhanced precision and control.
Since the introduction of the da Vinci system, other surgical robots have been developed, such as the Mako robotic arm system for orthopedic surgeries and the Zeus robotic surgical system for general surgeries. These systems continue to evolve and improve, with new features and capabilities being added regularly.
In summation, the development of surgical robots has been driven by a desire to improve surgical outcomes and minimize patient discomfort and recovery time. With continued advancements in technology and robotics, it is likely that surgical robots will play an increasingly important role in the future of medicine.

Don’t miss out on incorporating this revolutionary technology into your hospital, ASC, or surgical residency program. To learn more, contact us at ryan@r2surgical.com. 

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