Kalam launches robotic surgery project
Tuesday, 18 March 2003, 20:30 IST   |    1 Comments
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HYDERABAD: Robots could increasingly help doctors enhance the quality of surgery. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Saturday launched the robotic and interactive surgery technology development project to develop indigenous robotic technology in the medical field. The project was jointly launched by the city based International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and Care Foundation, with which Kalam was associated before he became president. IIIT director Rajeev Sangal and B. Somaraju of the Care Foundation signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project in Kalam's presence. Kalam, who along with Somaraju had developed the Kalam-Raju stent for cardiac procedures, affirmed the project would enhance the capabilities of surgeons. "India should venture into similar futuristic technologies with our strength in Information and Communication Technology, he said. "Complementing these capabilities will provide better patient care", he added. Experts working with the project say only a small incision would be needed for the instrument's entry, reducing trauma involved in accessing areas that require attention. The surgeon guides the robotic arms with the help of a joystick. Likely to become available in two years, the equipment could help in general surgery, cardio-surgery, neuro-surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and other specialised operations. Presently only the Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi offers robotic surgery with imported equipment, costing up to two million dollars. Care Foundation hopes the cost of the indigenised equipment will be reduced by a third.
Source: IANS
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