USC Research Could Change Robotic Surgery in the Future
September 12, 2018 | USCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Is there an objective, standardized way to train the next generation of surgeons? Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC think so, with an assist from technology that could change robotic surgery in the future.
Image Caption: Andrew Hung is researching methods to train the next generation of surgeons in robotic surgery. (Photo/Van Urfalian)
Using a data recorder plugged into a robotic surgery system, a Keck School of Medicine team analyzed expert and novice surgeons’ movements during the reconstruction step of robotic radical prostatectomy, a common surgery for prostate cancer. The data helped the team assess surgical skills, develop a needle-driving gesture classification system and create a training tutorial. The results of their study will appear in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.
“Although robotic surgery is a widely adopted minimally invasive option for treating prostate cancer, standardized training for it doesn’t exist yet,” said the study’s corresponding author, Andrew Hung, assistant professor of clinical urology at the Keck School of Medicine. “In order to create a methodical, streamlined training tutorial for this main reconstruction step of the prostate surgery, we relied on automated performance metrics and observation to objectively measure surgeon performance.”
Robotic Surgery in the Future: Developing a Tutorial
The data were used to develop a tutorial that broke the complex surgicy step into smaller, discrete steps.
“While there is no single perfect way to do a perfect operation, creating a standardized method for robotic surgery training provides surgeons a common training ground,” Hung said.
Hung and his colleagues are currently testing the efficacy of the tutorial with a group of medical students in the research lab at the Keck School of Medicine. Team members hope their approach to developing this training tutorial could one day be applied to any procedure in any kind of robotic operation.
Robotic radical prostatectomy accounts for 87 percent of prostate cancer surgeries in the United States.
Suggested Items
The Right Approach: I Hear the Train A Comin'
04/25/2024 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachTraining is often an afterthought in many organizations, and the longer a company has been in business, the more this seems to apply. Over the past couple of decades, it has been amazing to observe that the biggest offenders of this are the companies that overuse the sound bite, “Our most important assets are our people.” When you dig into the process and peel back the onion, their commitment to training is not commensurate with that statement.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Tools, Training, and Trends in Manufacturing Engineering
04/25/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and Product Specialist Erik Bateham of Polar Instruments discuss Polar's latest technology, including their role in aiding manufacturing engineers. They highlight the advanced capabilities of Polar's tools and the critical role of signal integrity analysis, as well as the importance of accurate modeling in board manufacturing. Polar's unique training approach and demonstration contact details are also explored.
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Boeing's Janene Stinson Earns IPC Excellence in Education Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/22/2024 | IPCThe IPC Excellence in Education award was presented to Janene Stinson, Boeing, at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, California, in recognition of her significant contributions to workforce development and leadership.
Seeking Employment: Meet Parker Capers
04/18/2024 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Parker Capers, a cybersecurity professional with a decade of experience in the SMT industry, earned a bachelor’s degree from DeVry and is CompTIA Security Plus certified. He is open to various industries but has a strong affinity for manufacturing due to extensive familiarity. Parker appreciates smaller companies where personal connections matter. Are you hiring?