World's smallest surgical robot created

Scientists from Cambridgeshire have created the world’s smallest surgical robot by using technology from the mobile phone and space industries.

The robot has been designed for minimally-invasive surgery including prostate, ear, nose and throat surgery. Minimally-invasive surgery, or keyhole procedures can speed up recovery times for patients, reduce pain and reduce complications after surgery.

The robot is called Versius and is operated by a surgeon in the operating theatre who sits at a console guided by a 3D screen. Its developer, Cambridge Medical Robotics state that its surgical robot is a third of the size of current surgical robots. In the same way that the human arm is able to perform precise movements, so to can Verisus. Its creators developed the robot to mimic the movements of the human arm so it is able to perform complex surgical procedures.

Martin Frost, chief executive of Cambridge Medical Robotics, told The Observer: “Having robots in the operating theatre is not a new idea. The problem at the moment is that they are phenomenally expensive – not only do they cost £2m each to buy but every procedure costs an extra £3,000 using the robot – and they are very large. Many hospitals have to use the operating theatre around the robot. Their size can also make them difficult for the surgical team to use. They are also poorly utilised; they are only really used for pelvic surgery, and can’t be easily adapted to other types of surgery. In some hospitals they are only being used once every other day.”

Cambridge Medical Robotics state that the robot will launch next year and will be ready for procedures by the end of next year.