Robots and artificial intelligence have now become part of people's everyday lives. The medical industry is one of the industries where both are crucial. Here, medical robots have helped in many ways to make medical operations more efficient and effective.
Medical robotics consists of artificial intelligence integrated into a body made of different materials, such as metals, plastics and composites. This article explains the use of medical robots and how machining technologies help in the production of medical robot parts.
What are medical robots?
Medical robots have a special design that makes them usable in the medical field. They can generally be controlled remotely and are suitable, among other things, for surgical treatments and drug distribution.
Each robot (medical or non-medical) has certain technical characteristics, including:
1. Responsible person
The controller is the brain or processing unit embedded in a medical robot. It is unique to each robot and essentially consists of a small integrated computer system that runs all of the robot's programs.
2. Power supply
The robot can be powered by an internal battery or a fixed external power source. The type of power supply determines the robot's dexterity in terms of power and movement. For example, robots with internal batteries are more flexible in movement than those with a fixed power source.
3. Programming
Programming is a set of instructions that determine what the robot does. Programming with the controller helps medical robots follow instructions correctly and avoid inefficiencies and errors.
4. Sensors
Environmental detection sensors come in different shapes, sizes and with different functions.
5. End effectors
The end effector allows the robot to interact with its environment and work.
Benefits of medical robotics in healthcare
Medical robots are extremely useful in healthcare for several reasons. Below are some benefits:
Joint medical work
Robots in the medical field perform standard workflows independently, reducing the workload of healthcare professionals. They also ensure consistency and solve the problem of shortage of healthcare professionals.
For example, medical robots can use disinfectants to clean hospital rooms. This allows doctors to focus on patient care and other important tasks.
Increasing occupational safety
In any medical institution there are a large number of microorganisms harmful to health and medical personnel are susceptible to them. Medical robotics can be used in controlled and systematic cleaning, which can help reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent doctors from becoming infected by infections in a healthcare facility.
Additionally, specially designed medical robots can help healthcare professionals with strenuous tasks such as moving patients, beds or machines.
Support during operations
Some medical robots are so sophisticated that they can assist surgeons during a surgical procedure. A common example is the use of robots in heart surgery. These medical robots are very useful because they can perform high-precision surgical procedures without errors. This increases the success rate of surgical procedures.
Types of medical robots
There are different types of medical robots, but the most common are the following:
1. Surgical robots
This type of medical-surgical robot ensures that surgical procedures are performed accurately and efficiently. Depending on the complexity, they can perform remote operations in areas where no human surgeon is physically present.
2. Robotics for radiotherapy
These medical robots help position the radiation source, position the patient remotely without assistance, and configure imaging systems. Furthermore, radiotherapy robots can treat tumors in different parts of the body.
3. Rehabilitation robots
These medical robots help and support elderly people or patients with restricted mobility. They are applicable in rehabilitation services such as exercise and therapeutic training, and can carefully monitor the patient's progress.
Assessments.
4. Laboratory robots
Examples of these medical robots assist laboratory technicians in transporting biological or chemical substances that may be dangerous. Furthermore, they are suitable for rapid and accurate examination of test tubes, reducing common human errors.
5. Robotic prosthetics
They help a patient with a missing body part regain balance by providing them with a realistic body part. Unlike traditional prosthetics, robotic prosthetics have certain sophisticated functions.
For example, they can be controlled remotely. Furthermore, AI robotic prosthetics are adaptive and ergonomic.
6. Hospital robots
Hospital medical robots support healthcare professionals, relieving them of some tasks. They are programmed to know their environment well and can perform tasks such as delivering food, medicine and samples to the hospital.
Common Manufacturing Processes for Medical Robot Parts
When manufacturing medical robots, it is understood that a parts manufacturing process with tight tolerances and high precision and accuracy is required. Because medical robots deal with human life, and a small mistake can lead to additional complications or even death.
Common medical robot manufacturing processes include:
Precision CNC machining
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is the best option for precise, low-tolerance manufacturing of medical robots. It is a computer-controlled subtractive manufacturing process that relies on CAD software to produce parts. The process is used to manufacture medical robot parts such as screws, sensors, end effectors, etc.
Advantages of Precision CNC Machining
Precise CNC machining is extremely useful in manufacturing medical robots due to the following advantages.
Fast production processes
CNC machining operations such as CNC turning and milling are very fast. With this process it is possible to quickly produce parts for a medical robot without compromising precision, whether individually or in small series production.
Complex shapes and tight tolerances
CNC machining is great for producing complex shapes with tight tolerances. Most components of medical robots have complex designs to fulfill their functions. Therefore, they require a precision-based process to meet these requirements.
Medical machining is ideal for producing complex shapes with tight tolerances. The efficiency and effectiveness of the process depend on the machine used. 5-axis CNC machines are best suited for such situations.
versatility
CNC machining is compatible with all materials used in manufacturing medical robot parts. These include plastics, steel, aluminum, titanium and other composite materials.
Overmolding and insertion molds
These are injection molding processes suitable for producing parts from two materials (different or the same).
Overmolding is a two-step manufacturing process in which a part is made from two plastic materials that may be the same or different. The operator makes the first part in an injection mold and then positions the resulting product in another. The operator then molds the second part, resulting in a single product from two injection molding steps.
Insert molding is similar to overmolding. However, plastic is molded into a non-plastic material (usually a metal) called an insert. It is a very suitable method for producing fasteners used in medical robots.
Advantages of Overmolding and Insert Molding
Due to their enormous advantages, overmolding and insertion molds are suitable for the production of plastic and plastic/metal parts for medical robotics.
Cost benefit
Overmolding and insert molding processes are very economical, especially when producing large quantities.
durability
Parts manufactured using these processes are extremely stable and durable. Therefore, they can withstand harsh conditions.
3D printing
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that uses 3D printers to create stable, three-dimensional parts from a CAD model. It is the most common manufacturing method in the production of medical parts and is also used in the production of robotic parts, such as robotic prosthetics.
Advantages of 3D printing
Below are some benefits of 3D printing in manufacturing medical parts:
Rapid prototyping
3D printing is a fast, cost-effective and reliable manufacturing and prototyping method. This process allows you to create prototypes in just a few hours.
flexibility
3D printing allows for the rapid creation of flexible and complex 3D designs. This allows for quick solutions for medical robot parts that wear out over time.
How to choose the right process for medical robot parts?
Choosing the best medical robot machining process is very important and there are some factors you need to consider before choosing a medical robot machining process. These considerations include:
Prototyping vs. real-time manufacturing
Prototyping involves producing parts in small quantities for testing purposes. It occurs in the early stages of manufacturing and is often possible with 3D printing and CNC machining. For real-time manufacturing, use injection molding or low-volume CNC machining processes.
Accuracy and tolerance
Parts assembled to produce medical robots must be highly precise and precise. Therefore, manufacturing processes with tight tolerances are necessary to eliminate errors. In terms of accuracy, all the processes highlighted above are adequate. However, automation brings CNC machining processes to the forefront.
Suitability for complex projects
Robot parts have complex designs. Therefore, you need a manufacturing process that supports complex designs. Here, 3D printing and CNC machining are the most suitable methods. In general, 5-axis CNC machines are best for producing complex robotic parts because they can rotate and move along multiple axes to create the final design.
Future trends in robotics in the medical field
Due to different application areas, technological advancements, etc., it is difficult to predict the future of robotics in the medical field. However, some of the following trends are having a clear impact:
1. Enhanced human touch
Using artificial skin will give humanoid medical robots a better sense of touch. Furthermore, these robots can provide particularly good patient care due to their ability to detect ambient pressure. This trend is on track to achieve the goal of giving robots a better sense of touch.
2. Better robotic performance in surgeries
Robotic technologies are transforming the surgical field of medicine as they assist surgeons with complex movements during operations. Increase precision, control and flexibility during surgical procedures.
This allows surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures with less effort. Robots can help collect medical equipment and assist in actual surgery.
3. Strengthen empathy for robots
Before the recent development of AI, the term empathy was not applicable to robots. Therefore, robots were only programmed to perform simple and straightforward operations. However, the introduction of empathy into some sophisticated robots has resulted in better interaction between patients, medical staff and robots.
Increasing robots' empathy works differently for each group. For example, robots and workers make it easier to distribute and request information. When it comes to robots and patients, incorporating AI helps patients feel like they are talking to humans. This can reduce depression and loneliness.
4. Teleassistance
Telecare involves a human caregiver operating a robot to provide care to patients. Some components like AR, sensors, robotic manipulation, teleconferencing, etc. contribute to the development of telecare.
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Concluding
Today, robotic technology is used in many ways in the medical field and has a direct or indirect impact on patients' lives. However, this article explained in detail how medical robots are changing and evolving the medical field and the manufacturing processes required to create them.
Common questions
Can medical robots make mistakes?
Compared to surgical procedures performed by doctors, the chances of a medical robot making a mistake are very low due to its precise calculations and the smooth movement of its arms.
How safe is it to use a medical robot during surgical procedures?
Most surgical procedures involve some degree of risk, but robot-assisted surgeries are considered very safe.
What is the best manufacturing process to produce medical robots?
Medical robots consist of many parts and can be manufactured using different manufacturing methods such as CNC machining, 3D printing and injection molding. The choice of manufacturing process depends on your budget, project, quantity to be produced, etc.
