A long-held monopoly over surgical robots is about to end, unshackling a field that could transform health care. Irish surgeon Barry O’Reilly became the first doctor in the British Isles to use a robot to remove a uterus back in 2007. Hysterectomies traditionally require cutting the patient open, which means long recovery times, not to mention health risks. But with the robot, O’Reilly inserted instruments into small keyholes, which he then operated using controls and a camera attached to the robots. The result? A more precise operation and a shorter recovery time. Given the multimillion dollar cost of surgical robots, such pioneering came at a steep price. But with key patents starting to run out for Intuitive Surgical, the maker of the groundbreaking Da Vinci robot, a range of other companies are moving into the market. Greater competition could make robot surgeries more accessible — while sparking innovation. |