Ismail Khalid
In the future, robots will assume control of many jobs currently performed by humans. At the same time, new professions will emerge — one of them is a medical robot operator. This will also create new opportunities for those pursuing careers in robotics.
Robots are machines that perform specific tasks automatically without requiring direct supervision or intervention. They are usually controlled by software programs. From self-driving cars to automated warehouses, they are already making life easier for humans. Robots are being used in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and even warfare. In the near future, however, they will play a major role in healthcare.
There are two types of robots: autonomous and semi-autonomous. Autonomous robots operate completely independently, whereas semi-autonomous robots require some level of human control. Robots are being developed to assist doctors in performing surgeries. For example, a robotic arm can remove tumors or replace joints. The robot’s autonomy depends on the proximity of work with the patient. For example, a surgical robot is completely controlled by a person. In addition, robots can be programmed to perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning floors or operating machinery.
What is a medical robot operator?
A medical robot operator is a specialist who programs and configures diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, and other robots that help doctors carry out various procedures and also knows how to control them.
Robotic devices are used in medicine at all stages of treatment. They diagnose the patient, perform surgeries, help patients comply with the doctor’s prescriptions, and help the medical staff perform various tasks, from preparing instruments to applying sutures.
When did this profession emerge?
Medical robots began to develop in the second half of the twentieth century. In 1985, doctors performed a precise brain biopsy utilizing the Programmable Universal Manipulation Arm (PUMA) device. The Probot system was created in 1988 for transurethral resection of the prostate, or the removal of the entire organ or a portion of it in the event of urinary issues. Then came radiation treatment, neurosurgery, and prosthetic joint devices. The first robot surgeon to be certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) was unveiled in 1994 by Computer Motion.
In 1999, a successful operation was performed by a robot surgeon Da Vinci. Today it is one of the most advanced robotic medical systems, which performs complex operations, such as gastric bypass, mitral valve repair, and resection of a mediastinal tumor. The robot is controlled by a surgeon who observes the operated area in cameras with multiple magnifications in 3D format and controls the robot’s actions using joysticks.
What does a medical robot operator do?
It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that medical robots operate efficiently. It follows the robot during every phase of its operation, from programming and internal configuration through maintenance and work-quality evaluations.
To ensure the smooth operation of the robot, the operator will monitor the general condition of the robot based on the information from built-in sensors. He will evaluate the robot’s operating system, construct models, and forecast the robot’s activity in operation. The operator will plan the robot’s actions according to the tasks, write program code for the robot and upload it to the device, and maintain the robot.
The future of medical robots
Every year, the number of medical robots has been increasing. Statista estimated that in 2016 there were 713. In 2017, the number increased to 826; in 2025, there will be 2112 robots.
However, for the robot’s proper function, a human hand would still be required — a medical robot operator.
