The surgical robot has independently performed a complex operation without human prompts

According to glavcom.ua: American scientists from Johns Hopkins University presented a surgical robot that has performed a gallbladder operation for the first time without any prompts from a physician. According to The Robot Report, the robot was guided by an AI algorithm during the procedure.

This breakthrough allows us to move from robots that can perform individual surgical tasks to machines that can truly understand surgical procedures. This brings us closer to creating autonomous surgical systems that can work in unpredictable conditions, - said JHU associate professor Axel Krieger.

Earlier, in 2022, a team of scientists created the STAR robot, which performed a pig intestine operation for the first time with minimal assistance from doctors. The success of these projects has encouraged researchers to develop a more advanced surgical robot.

AI algorithm for surgical robots

To train the robot to perform cholecystectomy, scientists created an AI based on two neural networks. One analyzed images from an endoscope and provided instructions, while the other converted them into commands for the robot. After 34 operations, the robot successfully executed all stages of cholecystectomy.

The development of a surgical robot that can perform complex operations with minimal involvement from doctors is an important step in the advancement of autonomous surgical systems. This technology may find application in situations where human doctors have limited access or opportunities to perform surgeries, such as in crisis situations or in remote areas.