Robot surgery on humans could be trialled within decade after success on pig organs

Robot surgery on humans could be trialled within decade after success on pig organs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed an AI-trained robot that successfully performed gallbladder removal on pig organs without human assistance. The breakthrough, published in Science Robotics, marks a milestone in autonomous surgery and could lead to human trials within a decade.

Key Findings

  • The AI-trained robot performed eight gallbladder removals on pig organs with a 100% success rate.
  • Robots were trained on video footage of human surgeons and could cut, clip, and grab soft tissue autonomously.
  • The technology uses neural networks similar to those in ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
  • Robots were slower than humans but more precise and able to correct mistakes without intervention.

Expert Opinions

“We were able to perform a surgical procedure with a really high level of autonomy. In prior work, we were able to do some surgical tasks like suturing. What we’ve done here is really a full procedure.”
— Axel Krieger, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins

“An exciting development that shows great promise.”
— Royal College of Surgeons, UK

“It takes us further into the world of autonomy.”
— John McGrath, NHS England’s robotics steering committee

Implications for Healthcare

  • Potential to replicate the skills of top surgeons at scale.
  • Could improve surgical precision and efficiency, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.
  • May allow a single surgeon to oversee multiple autonomous operations in the future.

Challenges and Next Steps

  • Further testing is needed before clinical use on humans.
  • Robots must be able to handle live tissue, patient movement, and unexpected complications.
  • Training, education, and patient safety remain top priorities.

Conclusion: The success of autonomous robot surgery on pig organs marks a significant step toward clinical deployment. Experts emphasize the need for careful human trials and ongoing research to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Image: Juo-Tung Chen/PA via The Guardian

Alt text: The robot arm that performed realistic surgery with 100% accuracy.

Source: The Guardian