The system is called the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot or Smart Tissue Automation Robot. STAR, which is operated under a surgeon’s supervision, uses 3-D imaging and a near-infrared sensor to spot fluorescent markers on soft tissue to guide the robotic suture needle.
In a study comparing sutures made by STAR with sutures made by five surgeons across three procedure types, the robot performed as well as, if not better than, the surgeons. That said, the robot’s time was longer than open and robot-assisted surgery, but comparable for laparoscopic procedures.
“There’s a wide range of skills out there” said computer scientist Simon Leonard, PhD. Using the robotic surgical system to suture soft tissue “really levels the playing field.”
To watch a video of how STAR is used, click here.
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