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A Sheffield hospital is using a voice-controlled robotic arm in
complex kidney operations.
The Aesop robot uses a tiny camera giving the surgeon perfect vision
inside the patient's body.
The procedure at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital is a first for
the UK.
Consultant urologist Neil Oakley performs keyhole surgery by watching
the pictures beamed by Aesop on a video monitor in the operating
theatre.
He controls the robotic arm and its camera via a microphone headset.
Using basic commands - left, right, up and down - he can control
the camera to give him a perfectly stable and clear view inside
the abdomen. He uses manual instruments based on that view.
During the procedure, three small incisions - as small as five
millimetres across - are made in the patients' abdomen. Aesop's
camera is inserted into the first and the laproscopic surgical instruments
are manually used in the others.
A unique 'voice card' means Aesop only recognises Mr Oakley's voice.
The benefits for patients include faster recovery time, less pain
and shorter hospital stays.
Mr Oakley told Ananova: "By using the headset I'm in total
control of the camera which acts as my eyes inside the patient and
the picture is crystal clear. I've been delighted with the results
so far."
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