This book discusses the effects of emerging technologies on surgeons and surgical practice. The book opens with an overview of disruptive technologies, and their economic, scientific, ethical and social implications. Next comes a section describing how the Internet, virtual reality and simulation technology will change training and education. A section on Robotics covers computer-guided surgery, robotics and endoluminal therapies. Innovations in surgical instruments, including MEMS and Nanotechnology are outlined, as well. Next, the book reviews tissue engineering and artificial organs, genetic engineering, stem cells, emerging transplantation technologies and the brain-machine interface. A concluding section discusses ways of adapting to future technologies.

This work contains the state-of-the-art in Virtual Reality as applied to Medicine. Interactive technology, used in many research and development programs, can be applied to health care by involving: robotics, computer vision, simulation, artificial intelligence, image manipulation and storage, data gloves, man-machine interfaces, etc. The Health Telematics Application Program, for example, is advancing virtual reality and enabling technologies (simulation, visualization and robotics) in health care services for patients, the elderly and persons with disabilities. This book addresses the following items from the end-user's perspective: technology transfer, telerobotics, telemedicine, education and training, and virtual reality. 'the book would (...) be useful for those researching interactive technologies in health care, especially virtual reality (...). It would be also of interest to people who want to keep abreast of the latest developments in techno-medical research.' - Rod Elford, Telemedicine Centre, Memorial University St John's, Newfoundland, Canada Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, volume 2, no. 3, 1996, p. 178 Covered by Current Contents, Life Sciences (ISI), volume 38, no. 34, August 1995, p. 11-13

Surgical robotics is a rapidly evolving field. With roots in academic research, surgical robotic systems are now clinically used across a wide spectrum of surgical procedures. Surgical Robotics: Systems Applications and Visions provides a comprehensive view of the field both from the research and clinical perspectives. This volume takes a look at surgical robotics from four different perspectives, addressing vision, systems, engineering development and clinical applications of these technologies. The book also: -Discusses specific surgical applications of robotics that have already been deployed in operating rooms -Covers specific engineering breakthroughs that have occurred in surgical robotics -Details surgical robotic applications in specific disciplines of surgery including orthopedics, urology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pediatric surgery and general surgery Surgical Robotics: Systems Applications and Visions is an ideal volume for researchers and engineers working in biomedical engineering.

This book discusses the effects of emerging technologies on surgeons and surgical practice. The book opens with an overview of disruptive technologies, and their economic, scientific, ethical and social implications. Next comes a section describing how the Internet, virtual reality and simulation technology will change training and education. A section on Robotics covers computer-guided surgery, robotics and endoluminal therapies. Innovations in surgical instruments, including MEMS and Nanotechnology are outlined, as well. Next, the book reviews tissue engineering and artificial organs, genetic engineering, stem cells, emerging transplantation technologies and the brain-machine interface. A concluding section discusses ways of adapting to future technologies.

Surgical robotics is a rapidly evolving field. With roots in academic research, surgical robotic systems are now clinically used across a wide spectrum of surgical procedures. Surgical Robotics: Systems Applications and Visions provides a comprehensive view of the field both from the research and clinical perspectives. This volume takes a look at surgical robotics from four different perspectives, addressing vision, systems, engineering development and clinical applications of these technologies. The book also: -Discusses specific surgical applications of robotics that have already been deployed in operating rooms -Covers specific engineering breakthroughs that have occurred in surgical robotics -Details surgical robotic applications in specific disciplines of surgery including orthopedics, urology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pediatric surgery and general surgery Surgical Robotics: Systems Applications and Visions is an ideal volume for researchers and engineers working in biomedical engineering.

What makes a virtual human credible and acceptable? Do they provide companionship that is similar to that of a person? More so, will it ever replace that of a person? It is not the art of simply creating a digital mockup of a human, but the art of creating an intelligent conversational model that is woven into a virtual human to deliver a personality and thought process; that truly raises the previous questions. Furthermore, we cannot predict the future, but it is simulation that can provide a picture of what the future may hold. This concept of simulation allows a doctor to perform a clinical skills interaction and a surgeon to perform a difficult procedure as many times as it takes until they reach a particular defined objective of proficiency. This is a capability that real life does not, nor ever will, offer. Standardized Patients (SP)s are actors who portray a patient to provide real life training to medical students. The obstacle that is being faced is the lack of standardization in the learning objectives and the quality of acting in SPs. Simulation can provide a supplement to existing training so that SPs may reach a higher level of competence; to in turn provide the best and fairest learning experience for medical students taking the Step 2cs exam. Several technical solutions, techniques, scientific studies, medical focus groups, and schools of thought are explored to assist in SP education throughout this book. In addition, this detailed reference also provides a fresh look to learning the fundamentals of clinical skills and simulation.

Robotic surgery systems have been introduced in the late nineties to support surgeons in advanced endoscopic procedures. In the upcoming decade, with research and development in surgery focusing at minimally invasive techniques, endoscopic procedures will replace open surgery in both standard and advanced procedures in the abdominal and thoracic cavity, with the objective to reduce damage to the body wall and thereby reduce pain and accelerate the healing process. This book provides a complete overview of all aspects of this emerging technology, including concepts and technical details, current role in endoscopic surgery and future developments and is a valuable reference source for surgical specialists from all related disciplines, both current users and interested newcomers.