Medical robotics applications are evolving in healthcare in a variety of areas, including exoskeletons, care robots, and hospital robots. More than 250,000 people die each year in the United States from medical errors, some of which are likely preventable. Today, advances in surgical techniques and technology give surgeons more precise control over a range of procedures. For example, robotics can enhance a surgeon’s precision by using magnified 3D high-definition vision and mechanisms that strap to a surgeon’s wrists and hands. The outcome is less-invasive procedures, faster recovery time, shorter hospitalization, and long-term cost savings.

The industry is regularly developing and expanding, with no sign of stopping. In 2021, the medical robotics industry was valued at $10.6 billion, and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is projected to be 17.1% through 2030. Advancements in technology are pushing this steady growth as new and upgraded processes and products enter the industry every year. From robotic catheter control systems to lab assistants and beyond, these technologies are poised to continue improving patient care worldwide.

The use of robotic technology has been in play for decades. The first robots entered the medical field as assistant surgeons back in the 1980s, and the 1990s saw their introduction into radiotherapy. While these technologies have advanced, they are still in use today, along with many other applications, including exoskeletons, nursing, prosthetics, and more. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created a surge in demand for sanitation and rapid healthcare with limited exposure. Robots can aid with the sanitization of public and clinical areas via ultraviolet light, thus reducing disease transmission. Limits put on travel led to a greater need for remote care by diagnosing and monitoring patients digitally without compromising quality. This type of situation calls for a combination of robotic assistance with human input, creating a team that can be as fast and efficient as possible while providing the care, support, and human touch patients need.

Robotics in the medical device world

The applications and benefits of robotics in the medical device world are extensive and ever-growing. Here are some emerging uses of robotics.

Overcoming challenges

Some challenges arise with the increased use of robotic medical devices and advancing technology. Among them is the upfront expense. Robots, their accessories, and their software can be costly endeavors that escalate the more advanced the equipment becomes. Thorough research and steady, calculated integration can mitigate this. Not only will the investment improve and save countless lives, but the amount of money also saved due to issues resulting from human error and wasted time performing repetitive or redundant tasks will soon pay for the upgrades. A good place to start is with human-assisted robots, and once confidence is built, facilities can proceed with further implementation.

While there is much interest in AI and robotics in general, there is also distrust, which creates challenges for both patients and medical staff. Some are concerned by the long-term potential of advancing AI, are wary of the unknown, or are concerned about mechanical malfunctions. Others fear being replaced by robots. Nothing could be further from the truth. AI reduces time spent researching, diagnosing, and performing tasks to a fraction of the time a human can complete them. People are essential for monitoring software and coding for errors, thereby reducing the likelihood of problems. Additionally, humans are required to repair any malfunctions located.

Additional benefits

Patient safety is one of the most important benefits of robotic medical devices. Surgical robots can automate part or all of a given process and can assist with human limitations, including surgeons working on extensive operations for numerous hours, leading to fatigue. Precision in surgery not only helps the surgeon perform faster but also gets the patient into recovery sooner and with smaller wounds. Robotics also increase the likelihood that surgeons can extend their careers. As the ability to perform delicate tasks lessens with age and medical conditions, human-assisted robots can take on the elements requiring precision, while experienced surgeons make quick decisions based on their extensive knowledge.

 Long-term cost savings benefit individual medical facilities and the industry as a whole. These savings can then trickle down to patients, insurance companies, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others. Costs from staff overtime, extended hospital stays, physical therapy, home care, travel, and more will decrease, offsetting the cost of robotics.

Many areas, from rural locations to other countries, suffer from a shortage of medical staff. Additionally, specialists are in high demand for various uncommon health diagnoses. With the use of robotics, a specialized surgeon can be in one country and perform an emergency operation across the world via remote navigation. Loss of life due to a doctor’s inability to get to a patient in time can be drastically reduced.

The healthcare industry has evolved dramatically and will continue to do so, both in slower steps as with long-term drug evaluations, and in quick leaps, like the 2020 pandemic, which pushed people’s expectations of healthcare to new limits. Machine learning (ML) is a type of AI that helps software applications increase their accuracy in predicting outcomes by using historical data—much more information than a human could ever hope to learn or remember. Doctors can utilize these algorithms to determine a patient’s chance of survival with a much higher degree of accuracy. With the right infrastructure, flexibility in healthcare will create new opportunities for better care for both patients and medical professionals. Robotics powered by technologies such as virtual reality, ML, and AI are the future of the medical device world and will save countless lives.