telesurgery

A medical technology developed by SRI International that allows a surgeon to operate long distance. By combining advances in imaging, video, robotics and sensory devices, the system gives doctors the full sensory experience of hands-on surgery. Wearing a pair of specially polarized glasses and sitting before a console showing a high-resolution 3D image of the patient, the surgeon is actually doing the operation. Also called "telepresence surgery." See telemedicine, telepresence and robotic surgery.

"Being There"

The surgeon (top) is watching the patient and manipulating the instruments as if he were in the operating room. The operation (below) is assisted by a doctor who does not have the same skill level as the primary surgeon. (Images courtesy of SRI International.)

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