Robots in medicine

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2024

In the Moscow region, for the first time began to conduct biopsies using robots

On July 24, 2024, it became known that biopsies using robotic technologies began for the first time in the Moscow Region. This achievement was realized at the M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute (MONICA), where they successfully performed the first liver puncture under the control of a robotic navigation system. Read more here

Robot that feeds people introduced

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a robotic feeding system for people with limited mobility. This was reported on May 9, 2024 by TechXplore. Read more here.

The first robot pharmacy appeared in Moscow

The first robot pharmacy appeared in Moscow. Metropolitan Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote about the implementation of this project on the basis of the City Clinical Hospital No. 67 named after Vorokhobov in his Telegram channel on February 5, 2024. Read more here.

The first batch of prototypes of the Russian CardioRobot has been collected

The first batch of prototypes of CardioRobot has been collected. Such information was shared on February 2, 2024 by representatives of the Roselectronics holding. Read more here. The device allows you to increase the chances of survival of patients in critical condition and reduce the burden on medical personnel.

2023

Sales of robots traveling to hospitals in the world for the year increased by 11% to reach $2.57 billion

In 2023, the global market for robots for hospital logistics reached $2.57 billion. This is about 11% more compared to 2022, when sales of such equipment were estimated at $2.32 billion. The industry is showing significant growth driven by increasing demand for automation in healthcare facilities. Such data are given in the Market Research Future study, the results of which were published at the end of October 2024.

In an effort to improve operational efficiency, hospitals are implementing robotic systems to transport medical supplies, medicines and equipment. Automation not only optimizes such operations, but also reduces the number of errors associated with the human factor. Increased labor costs and a shortage of skilled staff are prompting medical facilities to invest in robotic platforms that can efficiently perform monotonous and time-consuming operations, allowing staff to focus on more important tasks.

In 2023, robots for transporting materials provided $1.15 billion in the total volume of the market under consideration. Another $0.87 billion came from drug delivery systems. Robotic solutions to maintain cleanliness brought in $0.55 billion. Geographically, North America became the leader with a cost of $1.25 billion. This is followed by Europe with an estimate of $0.75 billion, and the Asia-Pacific region closes the top three with $0.4 billion. Another $0.17 billion was the contribution of South America, the Middle East and Africa. The key players are:

• MediBot;
• SoftBank Robotics;
• Omnicell;
• Aethon;
• Toyota Industries;
• RoboDK;
• Fetch Robotics;
• BlueBotics;
• Airobotics;
• Surgical Theater;
• TUG Robot;
• Cureatr;
• Siemens;
• Kuka.

Market Research Future analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 10.87%. Thus, by 2032, costs can reach $6.5 billion.^[1]

In three Moscow hospitals, "robocalls" appeared, which deliver food and medical supplies

In three Moscow hospitals - named after Vorokhobov, the Sklifosovsky Research Institute and the Filatov City Clinical Hospital - cat robots have appeared that can bring food and medicine, as well as accompany patients to the elevator and share useful information with them. The innovation unloads doctors. Read more here.

Russian scientists have created a soft magnetic robot to clean urethral catheters

ITMO scientists, together with colleagues from Chelyabinsk State University and Southern Federal University, have proposed a minimally invasive and safe approach for cleaning urethral catheters. It is based on magnetic soft robots that remove biofilms with bacteria with almost 100% efficiency. Moreover, they can be controlled remotely - using a magnetic field. The use of soft robots will prevent the development of infections and avoid the frequent painful procedure for changing catheters. ITMO announced this on November 15, 2023. Read more here.

Unmanned tow truck of wounded fighters created in Russia

In early September 2023, it became known that an unmanned robotic platform was created in Russia to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield. The project was called "Bratishka." Read more here.

A robot for cleaning toilets has been released. He picks up a chair and can use an elevator

In mid-August 2023, the American company Somatic introduced a smart robot for cleaning toilets. The machine is capable of day-to-day routine work, partially replacing service personnel in hotels, medical facilities, office buildings, etc. More details here.

A remote-controlled medical robot has been created to operate in the field. It can palpate the stomach and inject painkillers

On July 21, 2023, British researchers from the University of Sheffield announced the development of a remote-controlled robotic platform that allows emergency medical care for victims in emergency situations. Read more here.

Self-propelled robot endoscope designed to screen for bowel cancer

On July 21, 2023, it became known that a team of scientists from Imperial College London developed a self-propelled robot endoscope capable of changing the technology for conducting intestinal screening. The device as a whole is designed to significantly increase patient comfort during screening. Read more here.

A robot has appeared in the hospital that combs the hair of patients and measures their pulse, temperature and blood oxygen levels

In mid-June 2023, Valkky's telerobot, developed by startup Touchlabs, was launched in a Finnish hospital as part of a pilot project. The device is controlled using an electronic tactile glove equipped with tactile electronic leather - E-Skin. The material consists of one or more ultra-thin force sensors to transmit tactile sensations in real time from one source to another. Read more here.

Perm scientists have created an anthropomorphic simulator for teaching dental students

Scientists of the Perm Polytechnic, together with colleagues from the Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner and Moscow State Medical University named after A.I. Evdokimov, as part of an intercollegiate consortium, have developed a robot simulator that will bring the training of dental students closer to the real conditions of a medical clinic, and will also allow assessing the quality of work using a neural network. The development was carried out as part of the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program. This was announced on May 17, 2023 by representatives of the Perm Polytechnic. Read more here.

A robot with a sensitive sense of smell for diagnosing diseases has been created

In early February 2023, Israeli scientists from Tel Aviv University managed to create a robot equipped with a biological sensor. It has a sensitive sense of smell and can be used in the diagnosis of diseases or to detect dangerous substances. Read more here.

Humanoid robot for nursing home introduced

On January 4, 2023, Aeolus unveiled its new humanoid robot, AEO. It is a device that can make life easier for the elderly and people with limited mobility, as well as serve restaurants, cafes, kiosks and other tasks. Read more here.

2022

Britain has created robots that treat soldiers on the battlefield

On November 10, 2022, the University of Sheffield created robots capable of providing medical assistance to military personnel during hostilities. Read more here.

Rostec and FMBA of Russia presented a robotic ultrasound complex for remote examination of patients

On August 15, 2022, Rostec State Corporation and the Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia (FMBA) presented an experimental sample of a robotic ultrasound complex for remote examination of patients, as well as a prototype of a HIFU therapy complex for the treatment of oncology and stopping severe internal bleeding. Read more here.

Russian scientists have created a robotic system for the rehabilitation of the lower limbs

Russian scientists have developed a "smart" rehabilitation system for patients with impaired musculoskeletal functions, consisting of a robotic simulator and special software that analyzes the physical characteristics of patients and selects the optimal physiotherapy mode for each of them. In addition, the system encourages the patient for being active during the procedure, thereby motivating him to continue rehabilitation. This was announced on July 27, 2022 by representatives of NUST MISIS. Read more here.

A robot for ultrasound was created in Russia

At the end of March 2022, it became known about the creation of Russia medicalrobot an ultrasound research center (). ULTRASONOGRAPHY We are talking about a software and hardware complex RoboScan created. Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) It is noted that both electronics and everything for the software device was developed by the staff of the institute. More. here

2021: Russian company creates robotic complex for massage

On November 11, 2021, the Beautyliner Group announced to Zdrav.Expert the development of a robotic complex for shape correction and massage equipped with artificial intelligence. The complex provides high accuracy of the procedure, excludes the human factor, and the cost is reduced to 40%. Read more here.

2020

First Siemens robotic X-ray complex installed in Moscow

On August 17, 2020, Siemens announced that the first robotic X-ray complex Siemens Multitom Rax with Robotic Advanced X-ray technology was installed in a Moscow clinic. The cost of such a complex exceeds 100 million rubles. Read more here.

Announcement of a robot that takes nasal swabs for COVID-19 tests

In mid-August 2020, the Taiwanese company Brain Navi introduced a new robot that independently takes nasal swabs. The developers hope that thanks to this robot, medical institutions will be able to conduct extended testing for the causative agent COVID-19, while reducing the risk of its further spread. Read more here.

Robots for health diagnostics appeared in the MPSC

In early August 2020, robots for preliminary health diagnostics were launched in 10 offices of My Documents in Moscow. Visitors are offered to determine the composition of the body, check the level of blood oxygen saturation, make an analysis of exhaled air, measure blood pressure and pulse. Read more here.

A robot has been released that takes a swab for coronavirus from the mouth without human participation

In early June 2020, Danish researchers presented a fully automated robot that can take oral swabs for analysis for the coronavirus COVID-19 without human input. It is assumed that such a robot will be able to reduce the risk of infection of medical specialists. Read more here.

A robot that tests for coronavirus without human participation has been launched

At the end of April 2020, Bright Machines, in collaboration with the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) hospital, as well as iCobots, presented a robot that will be able to test for the coronavirus COVID-19 practically without the participation of people. The novelty began to be used in the Israeli medical center. Read more here.

Announcement of a robot for disinfection of premises in Russia

On April 20, 2020, it became known about the creation by Aurora Robotics of a robot capable of disinfecting premises. The invention will be especially relevant in the context of the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19. Read more here.

Texas hospitals buy robots to replace nurses

In mid-April 2020, it became known that Texas hospitals began purchasing Moxi robots manufactured by Vigilent Robotics to help nurses. Read more here.

A robot appeared in hospitals that painlessly draws blood from a vein

In February 2020, it became known about the appearance in hospitals of a robot that painlessly draws blood from a vein. It was created at Rutgers University.

The robot, designed to take and analyze blood samples, showed results comparable to or even superior to those of ordinary paramedics. The device provides a quick result and will allow specialists to focus on other tasks.

The results were comparable to clinical standards. The overall success rate was 87% for 31 patients. Among 25 people with easily accessible veins, the same rate reached 97%. After testing, robots began to be used in real conditions in hospitals in New Jersey (USA).

The device includes an ultrasound-controlled manipulator that draws blood from the veins, as well as a sample processing module and a centrifuge-based blood analyzer. The device can be used at the bedside and in ambulances, emergency rooms, clinics and hospitals.

Venipuncture, which involves inserting a needle into a vein to take a blood sample or administer intravenous therapy, is the world's most common clinical procedure. But venipuncture can be difficult and HCWs fail when dealing with patients without visible or palpable veins. Repeated failed venipuncture attempts increase the likelihood of phlebitis, thrombosis, and infections.

The new device allows you to quickly, safely and reliably receive blood samples, preventing unnecessary complications and reducing pain in patients. The device can be used in procedures such as intravenous catheterization, central venous access, and dialysis. Researchers intend to improve the device to take samples from patients with hard-to-reach veins.^[2]

Presented a robot for ultrasound and examination of infected with coronavirus without the presence of a doctor

At the end of March 2020, researchers at a leading university China developed one robot that will be able to examine patients infected in the coronavirus absence of a doctor. More. here

How robots help in hospitals at the epicenter of the coronavirus in China

In mid-March 2020, robots began to be used in the "smart" field hospital of the Chinese city of Wuhan, which has turned into the epicenter of coronavirus infection. They remove vital signs, deliver medicines, disinfect the institution and entertain patients who have been quarantined. Read more here.

Robots began to feed people due to the risk of contracting coronavirus

At the end of January 2020, a video appeared showing a robot called Little Peanut - it delivers food to people in quarantine due to the risk of contracting coronavirus.

Passengers of the Singapore-Hangzhou flight (China) are being quarantined after two out of 335 people on the plane were diagnosed with fever. A video shot in a Hangzhou hotel, where potentially contagious passengers are in quarantine, shows a small robot delivering food to numbers.

Hi everyone! Funny Little Peanut will now serve you food, - specifies the robot in Chinese. -Enjoy your meal. If you need anything else, please let staff know on WeChat.

According to Reuters, several robots were used on each floor of the 16-story hotel to reduce contacts and prevent the spread of the new 2019-nCoV coronavirus. Passengers must be in quarantine for at least 14 days, all this time the hotel staff will be helped by robots. As of the morning of January 30, the new virus has caused 170 deaths and infected 7,814 people worldwide. Mortality is 3% (ordinary influenza - less than 0.01%, SARS - 10%).

The vast majority of cases are still observed in Hubei province (Wuhan city). However, the coronavirus has already penetrated beyond mainland China into Australia, Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. On January 23, Chinese authorities blocked Wuhan, and several airlines suspended flights to mainland China in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. Foreign citizens evacuated from Wuhan are placed in quarantine centers.^[3]

2019

Hospitals have started using a robotic thread that cleans brain vessels

At the end of August 2019, it became known that hospitals began to use a magnetically controlled thread-like robot, which is able to actively slide along narrow winding vessels. Developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the robotic thread teams up with existing endovascular technologies and allows doctors to remotely guide the robot through brain vessels to quickly treat lesions such as aneurysms and strokes. Read more here.

Promobot introduced a robot doctor

On June 17, 2019, the Perm company Promobot announced the creation of robot a doctor capable of making recommendations. According to the developers, a minimum of information to the robot is enough for impartial recommendations, and in the future its capabilities will be significantly expanded. More. here

2018: Global Medical Robots Market Size Increased 27% to $2.8 Billion

On April 16, 2020, the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, together with the National Association of Robotics Market Participants (NAURR), prepared a study on promising directions for the use of robotics in business. Particular attention was paid to the use of robotics in areas such as manufacturing and mining, agriculture, logistics, service provision, cleaning and others.

Sales of medical robots rose in 2018 by 50% to 5,100 units compared to 2017. Medical robots accounted for 31% of the total sales value of all professional service robots in 2018. The market volume increased by 27% and amounted to $2.8 billion.

The use of robots in medical centers in Russia is slower than in the world. As of April 2020, several Da Vinci robotic surgeons have been installed in the country, as well as separate Aesculap Einstein Vision 2.0 systems (Germany). Read more here.

2017

Robotic nurses in Japan

In early 2018, it became known about the use of robots as nurses. The project was announced at a hospital in Nagoya, Japan, which houses a large museum dedicated to robotics.

In February 2018, Nagoya University Hospital will launch four Toyota robots that will become assistants to medical personnel. In particular, this automated equipment will be entrusted with the functions of distributing medicines to patients in wards, delivering analyzes, etc. Robots will be able to move both on the floor and between different departments, which are located on different floors.

Each robot has a height of 125 cm, a width of 50 cm and a depth of 63 cm. The maximum speed of movement is 3.6 km/h, the maximum weight of the transported cargo is 30 kg.

As noted by Engadget, in fact, robots are portable refrigerators with a volume of 90 liters, which are equipped with radars and cameras for moving around a medical institution. Robots go around people, and in the event of a collision, they apologize and politely ask to pass. Clinic workers can call robots to themselves and assign follow-up points using tablet computers.

By using robots in tasks that are performed by humans, you can reduce the load on the latter. We hope that nurses and other specialists will be able to focus more on their main responsibilities, "said Naoki Ishiguro, director of the Nagoya University Hospital.

The robots were developed jointly by specialists from Nagoya University Hospital and Toyota Industries (produces auto parts and electronics). The trial launch of the devices will take place on the night shift - between 17:00 and 8:00, when fewer people walk on floors. In case of successful testing, robots can be deployed in other hospitals.^[4]

Using robots in nursing homes in Japan

In November 2017, it became known about testing robots in several thousand nursing homes in Japan. Artificial intelligence and mechanical assistants help staff care for people of age and replace the last interlocutors.

According to forecasts of the Japanese government, the market for robots replacing medical workers for nursing will reach 54.3 billion yen (about $480 million) by 2020, having tripled compared to 2015. The costs here are much lower compared to robots used in enterprises and in the service sector.

One of the reasons for this lag in demand for automated equipment that looks after people's health is the high cost. Despite the fairly high standard of living in Japan, not all pensioners can afford to buy a robot.

Japan provides subsidies for robot developers. Additional benefits are provided when supplying devices to treatment and rehabilitation centers for the elderly and disabled. About 5 thousand such institutions by November 2017 will use robots.

They are used to communicate with patients, conduct physical therapy, bypass hospital corridors to monitor emergency situations, and the Aibo robot dog  from Sony completely replaces the pet.

In nursing homes, systems are increasingly spreading to help nursing staff care for the elderly: for example, lift and move the paralyzed on the floor.

Robots will not yet be able to completely replace people in social institutions, but they allow staff to focus on communication and other tasks that require more involvement, giving household chores to the care of gadgets. In addition, as a nationwide study showed, about a third of Japanese residents using robots eventually became more active and independent, The Economist notes.^[5]

IDC Forecast for the Use of Robots in Medicine

By 2020, hospitals will become more active in using robots. It is planned to both clinical application and automation with their help of simple tasks, according to Healthcare IT News, citing an IDC study conducted in 2017.^[6]

Robots will automate manual and physically hard work, but will also be increasingly used for clinical purposes and the latest applications, says Mutaz Shegewi, analyst at IDC Health Insights[7]

The IDC survey among treatment facilities USA with 200 or more beds made it possible to assess the plans for the introduction of robots and. drones Almost a third of respondents said they already use robots. This practice will become commonplace for institutions health care once hospitals and clinics understand how the introduction of robots can help automate processes, reduce costs and improve the quality of medical services. IDC estimates that the ubiquity of robots in U.S. hospitals will occur between one and three years.

Interestingly, unlike robots that have already managed to penetrate the healthcare sector, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are not yet used by medical institutions. In any case, none of the hospitals participating in the IDC survey had such experience.

However, analysts are convinced that in the next three to five years, drones will also find application in healthcare.

How drones can be useful for providing medical care became known in June 2017 from the experience of Swedish scientists. With the help of experimental UAV flights, experts have demonstrated that drones are able to deliver an automatic external defibrillator to the desired point faster to help a patient than is the case with an ordinary ambulance.^[8]

Notes