A significant milestone has been achieved as Earth-based surgeons remotely controlled a surgical robot on the ISS, completing the first-ever surgery in orbit. The robot, named SpaceMIRA, developed by Virtual Incision and the University of Nebraska, successfully conducted tests on synthetic rubber tissue.
SpaceMIRA, compactly designed in a microwave-sized box, was transported to the ISS via a SpaceX rocket in January. On 8/2, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara installed the robot.
The experimental surgery, conducted on 10/2 from Virtual Incision’s headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, involved six surgeons operating the robot equipped with cameras and two arms, performing standard surgical techniques on synthetic rubber tissue.
Virtual Incision hailed the surgery as a significant success, especially considering the time delay challenge between Earth and the ISS. This method opens up potential applications for emergency cases during long-term space missions and could even be applied in remote areas on Earth.
NASA, a co-sponsor of the project, emphasized the increasing demand for medical care in long-term space missions, and this advancement could facilitate medical treatment activities ranging from simple to complex.
Note: This article utilizes information, images from bnn.
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