Chinese doctors successfully performed remote surgeries on rabbits situated 350 miles away. This remarkable feat was made possible by utilizing a state-of-the-art 5G robot, developed domestically.
(Photo : ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
In this photo taken on September 27, 2021, medical staff prepares to conduct a free cataract eye surgery on patient Venkatachalam Rajangam at Aravind eye hospital in Madurai in India's Tamil Nadu state.
Remote Surgery via 5G
A team of Chinese doctors achieved a remarkable feat by conducting remote surgeries on rabbits located 350 miles away, utilizing a domestically developed 5G robot. The surgical procedures were carried out at the Hainan Eye Hospital at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in Haikou, Hainan province.
However, Interesting Engineering reported that the rabbits were physically present at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The 5G robot, a product of collaboration between doctors and scientists, enabled this groundbreaking medical advancement.
On June 23, the surgeries were successfully performed, and since then, all 12 rabbits have been reported to be in stable condition after a month of post-operative care. The skilled medical team had previously conducted similar surgeries on various animals, including mice, pigs, and others.
Performing the Surgery
Robotic operations in the field of ophthalmology present a formidable challenge due to the exceptional level of precision required. Daily Times reported that a mere one-millimeter shake in the wrong direction by a surgeon's hand can be the decisive factor between restored vision and permanent blindness for a patient.
The complexities of ocular surgery demand specialized microscopes and visualization systems, posing obstacles to incorporating robotics in this domain. Nevertheless, Chinese doctors are optimistic about the prospects of robotic eye surgery becoming accessible to the public in their country either by the end of this year or early 2024.
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Sun Yat-sen University professor Huang Kai is convinced of the stability and accuracy of 5G robots, based on successful rabbit operations. As a result, his team is actively engaged in the development of 5G robots to aid in future surgical procedures.
The potential advancements in this field hold promise for the enhancement of eye surgeries, potentially revolutionizing the way such delicate procedures are conducted.
Reducing Cost, Time
The emerging medical tool shows great promise in benefiting patients in remote areas, facilitating emergency operations, and enabling surgeries across geographical distances. As per Lin Haotian, the Director of the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, this groundbreaking technology will play a pivotal role in propelling the advancement of remote medicine in China.
It is also expected to elevate the nation's medical devices and equipment to a world-leading position. Moreover, the use of this technology will contribute significantly to the establishment of national medical standards, as reported by China Daily.
Lin emphasized the potential benefits of this technology, stating that it could lead to time-saving, cost reduction, and enhanced treatment efficiency. He expressed optimism, stating that 5G remote micron ophthalmic surgery might become accessible to humans within six months, provided everything progresses smoothly.
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