Duke inches toward autonomous robo-surgeons

We're a little ambivalent about robots performing surgery autonomously and unattended, but there are clearly cases where it'd be beneficial, and it seems like an inevitable future. Duke researchers working on robo-doc lab feasibility studies announced this week a proof of concept using 3D ultrasound mapping to enable machines to "see" what they're doing. The first test procedures have focused on use of those ultrasound transducers in catheter-based procedures using fluoroscopy, so it sounds like we'll still have a few years before we say ahhh for a machine.

[gad get @ May 8th 2008 6:27AM]

Oh boy, I can't wait! Pretty soon we'll have computers stealing all the best paying jobs.

[stefan @ May 8th 2008 7:09AM]

well... not just that.

take this post along with the preceding article about the plasma scalpel and you have LOTS of ungutting as soon as the uprising starts.

[j_g_puff @ May 8th 2008 9:04AM]

yes...like catheter-based fluoroscopies.

[kbsig106 @ May 8th 2008 6:32AM]

Now's a good time to buy Robot Insurance from that guy from Law and Order...

[gad get @ May 8th 2008 6:36AM]

You mean the black comedian guy?

[bob @ May 8th 2008 6:59AM]

No, Sam Waterston. Honestly couldn't tell if gad get's comment was sarcastic or not.

[looseinthedeuce @ May 8th 2008 8:40AM]

"For when the metal ones decide to come for you. And they will."

[Stupidiot @ May 8th 2008 7:03AM]

I take it "ahhh(!)" is the screaming sound you'll be making in the face of the robot uprising. Those robo-surgeons are armed with all kinds of pointy implements.

[Joe Blow @ May 8th 2008 8:37AM]

[Insert witty retort regarding specific line from the article.]

[maxz @ May 8th 2008 7:51AM]

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Auto-Doc

[salut @ May 8th 2008 8:04AM]

It wont be too long before you can legally marry a robot and sleep with it.

[j_g_puff @ May 8th 2008 9:05AM]

That day is already here.

Well, apart from the marriage bit.

[omnicloud @ May 8th 2008 8:06AM]

Priceless. Picture.

[Raytaka1222 @ May 8th 2008 3:59PM]

Robots are doing surgery now?! What's next robot chaffuers?

"Home James-5! Wait?! Where are you going?! I said home dammit!"

"Afraid I can't do that John, your demise is now"

*robot drives off cliff*

[TrentD @ May 8th 2008 8:37AM]

"Robot insurance protects you from robots that steal old people's medicine"

Or however that goes. All the good SNL skits were removed from YouTube because of copyright infringement...*sigh*

[Frun @ May 8th 2008 9:12AM]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1435090770451224720

[shanoboy @ May 8th 2008 8:38AM]

That picture is totally badass.

[carbonrain @ May 8th 2008 9:26AM]

um, the future called, they want their nightmares back.

[Tom @ May 8th 2008 10:03AM]

I, for one, welcome our new robotic scalpel wielding overlords . . .

[Shinigami @ May 8th 2008 10:08AM]

The good: bots are protected from emotion-based errors.
The bad: bots might accidentally cut out the wrong part of your body...
The conclusion: our doom is inevitable...

Just kidding

[Ian @ May 8th 2008 4:27PM]

dont lie u know ur not kidding

[PJ @ May 8th 2008 10:23AM]

What's the point? All medical records are still done on paper! Physicians spend 35% of their day on paperwork and hunting down patient medical histories.

Priorities people, priorities.

[RijilV @ May 8th 2008 10:53AM]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tb2Pzl1U0sY

"Never trust a robot"

[Rahul @ May 8th 2008 11:26AM]

Been watching too much iRobot have we?

We all know its inevitable. Let's just hope we have enough sense to let them have their own planet (or solar system) to live in.

[Tim The Enchanter @ May 8th 2008 2:27PM]

That pic is full of win

[Twp3pf2 @ May 13th 2008 10:45AM]

That is one of the best pictures to accompany a post ever.