Surgical Innovation: Remote Operations Powered by Gaming Technology

Grace Edwards 10 Oct 2024

Recent advancements in medical technology have taken a remarkable turn, showcasing how even gaming peripherals can contribute to serious fields such as surgery. A striking instance of this collaboration occurred when a team of Swiss surgeons successfully conducted an endoscopic procedure on a pig situated 5,780 miles away in Hong Kong, utilizing a PlayStation Move controller along with a PS5 DualSense controller.

This innovative operation resulted from a partnership between the Faculty of Medicine at a prominent Chinese university and a leading institute in Switzerland. These surgeons were able to execute a complex procedure on the animal while maintaining precise control, highlighting the effectiveness of remote surgical technologies. Teleoperated endoscopy not only provides opportunities for surgical training and mentoring from afar, but it also facilitates immediate diagnosis and treatment in underserved areas where local medical expertise may be sparse.

A professor involved in the project emphasized that a remote specialist can guide trained staff through the necessary procedures. The potential for this technology means that countless individuals could receive timely diagnoses and interventions for gastrointestinal cancer as the accessibility of endoscopic tools expands. Experts from the Swiss institute are looking ahead to conduct tele-endoscopic procedures on human patients, although the continued use of gaming technology remains uncertain.

They believe that this innovation could significantly benefit endoscopic practices and other medical applications as well. The incorporation of game controllers within the healthcare sector reveals exciting possibilities for life-saving applications, though it certainly isn’t a novel concept. There have been previous instances where gaming technology has been applied in unusual contexts, such as a well-documented incident involving a tragic event with a submersible operated by a gaming pad.

Moreover, military organizations have harnessed gaming devices for their operations, such as testing laser defense systems using Xbox controllers in the past. In an ever-evolving field, the intersection of technology and gaming offers refreshing insights into how medical practices can progress, paving the way for enhanced patient care and surgical procedures in the future.