bestology 2023 Week 11 – Surgical Robots

Surgical Robots

Week 11

Last week we learned about microrobots. In this lesson we are going to focus on robots in surgery or in the medical field. There are some specific surgeries robots are best suited to assist doctors; some examples are hernia repair, colon surgery, gallbladder, laparoscopic, and many more. Check out this website da Vinci Robotic Surgery. It does a great job explaining all of the robotic surgeries available.   

Wow, did you know the robots simply hold instruments but do not do the surgery itself without the doctor driving the robot?  Watch this clip to learn more: Dr. Michael Stine Discusses Robotic Surgery – St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital.

Next, read the article 4 Ways That Robot Surgery Is Advantageous. After reading all of the above sites and articles, journal the benefits of minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Now that we have seen how robots can assist during surgery, let’s see how robots are helping amputees feel and get around again. Read this article and watch the short video on Prosthetic Offers Real-Time Mind Control of Robotic Hand.  

It is amazing to see how robotics can impact the medical field. Before we know it, the prosthetics will be able to connect to the brain using biomimetic feedback. Check out the article on this future. 

Moving Beyond Mind-Controlled Limbs to Prosthetics That Can Actually ‘Feel’

Resources

• Best Robotics  
• da Vinci Robotic Surgery
• Dr. Michael Stine Discusses Robotic Surgery – St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital 
• 4 Ways That Robot Surgery Is Advantageous
• Moving Beyond Mind-Controlled Limbs to Prosthetics That Can Actually ‘Feel’
• How medical 3D printing could solve the shortage of organ donations
• This 3D Bioprinted Organ just took its First Breath
• Five pieces of medical equipment that can be made with 3D printing
• 10 Animals Helped with 3D Printing
• Diabetes Statistics
• Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
• Why Apple And Google Are Working On Diabetes Tech
• Supporting someone with Type 2 Diabetes
• Diabetic emergencies: Warning signs and what to do
• Bioprinting Organs – A Future Alternative to Organ Donation? 
• Scientists can now print artificial organs
• How We Are Growing Organs In The Lab? | Dr. Jim Wells | TEDxCincinnati
• 3D-printed heart a potential breakthrough in making human organs
• Prosthetic Offers Real-Time Mind Control of Robotic Hand
• Open Artificial Pancreas System | Dana Lewis | TEDxFHKufstein
• Diabetics Are Hacking Their Own Insulin Pumps

Research/Reflect/Brainstorm

 Grab a notebook or your journal and research the following: 

3D printing is changing our world and our ability to help others and impact their quality of life. We need more organs for transplants. Over 100,000 people are waiting for an organ right now. But normally a transplant comes at a high cost. Sometimes it requires death for an organ donation to occur, then you have the complications of your body rejecting the new organ and then it only is expected to last so many years in your body before you may need another one. So the need for 3D printing of organs is high. Check out these two articles How medical 3D printing could solve the shortage of organ donations and This 3D Bioprinted Organ just took its First Breath.  Journal how a bioprinted organ would be successful in a human body after reading their explanation.  

Here is another resource. Bioprinting Organs – A Future Alternative to Organ Donation? 

Activity

In the following article, it describes the five types of medical equipment being manufactured with 3D printing. Note in your journal the five types and write down some examples. Five pieces of medical equipment that can be made with 3D printing. For all you animal lovers, we even have found 10 Animals Helped with 3D Printing. 

Group – Using the articles above, create a presentation on a 3D printing news article and/or video.  Peruse a search engine, YouTube and use the articles above to present specifics on what type and make of the 3D object was used in the video and how it has helped!

Individual – 3D printing has exploded since it became more affordable. You can DIY, create items for the medical world, replicate objects, make replacement parts, and more. Research some everyday items you could replicate with a 3D printer at your home or school. Now, get your journal and list items you found and are interested in replicating or constructing with a 3D printer. Last, persuade your teacher or parent with why you need a 3D printer and how you would make an impact in this World with one. 

BEST connection 

BEST robotics has given the option to 3D print a specific part. They now have a custom part which can also be 3D printed. What part would you 3D print if you could print any part of your robot? If you have a 3D printer try printing the part you want for your robot or use a 3D printer to make a small scale version of your robot.

Community Connection

According to research, Diabetes Statistics, 1 in 10 Americans have been diagnosed with Diabetes. Sadly, this doesn’t even include the individuals that have it but just don’t know it yet. Check out Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes.

No doubt, your community has many people with diabetes and they have to struggle with their blood sugar daily and the financial aspect of buying all the products they need to live each day. (insulin, syringes, pumps, etc) Why do you think Apple is focusing on making an impact in the health world? Why Apple And Google Are Working On Diabetes Tech  

They are a priority because Apple knows how many people are suffering with this disease that has no cure and costs too much to survive.  They are making health a priority so they can leave a legacy.  So, what can you do to help someone with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Read these two articles and jot down what you can do. 

7 Ways You Can Help Someone With Diabetes 

Supporting someone with Type 2 Diabetes

Last, read this article and take note of the warning signs of diabetic emergencies then jot them down in your journal. You could save a life one day!

Diabetic emergencies: Warning signs and what to do 

Bloom’s Taxonomy: create, explore, evaluate, generate, include, identify, list, observe, reflect, review, use, and write

Workforce Skills – list workforce skills related to this lesson

Critical thinking, materials evaluation, reading comprehension, science, writing, research