The da Vinci Surgery System awaits its first surgery at the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center (MOMMC), Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 3, 2019. The MOMMC hopes to integrate the da Vinci into many more surgeries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bailee A. Darbasie)
This robot could mean a possible breakthrough for healthcare professionals who screen for, and treat the coronavirus. Researchers at one of China’s most prestigious universities have designed this robot that can perform ultrasounds, act as a stethoscope, and conduct mouth swabs.
Since the robot has cameras, doctors don’t even have to be in the same room as the patient. The idea for the bot came about after researchers decided they wanted to contribute to fighting the deadly virus. They say one of the biggest issues is doctors becoming infected. The Robots use the same technology as space stations and lunar explorers, but developers say they don’t want to make it fully automated because patients still need that human element of a doctor’s comfort.
Researchers say the feedback from doctors who had used the robots has been good and they’d like to build more than the two they currently have. The Robots cost more than 72,000 U.S. dollars each and university funding has run out. For now, people are urged to take precautions like frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus and staying home if they feel symptoms.
