World's first remote heart surgery completed in Leicester, UK

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In the past, we've seen robots remove brain tumors and even transplant a kidney or two, and now a cardiologist has completed the world's first remote heart operation at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, UK. Using the Remote Catheter Manipulation System built by New Jersey's Catheter Robotics, Dr. Andre Ng was able to insert electrodes attached to catheters into the heart through blood vessels in the groin. One of the challenges surgeons traditionally face with this kind of procedure is prolonged exposure to the X-Rays used to monitor the patient. By operating remotely, doctors can avoid fatigue and cumulative radiation exposure -- not to mention those bulky lead aprons. "As long as the connection is reliable," Ng told the Financial Times, the operation could be performed over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just the same, we'd prefer it if our doctor was at least in the same building as he shoved electrodes into out hearts. Don't we at least deserve that much? PR after the break.

By Joseph L. Flatley

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