Robot performs realistic gallbladder surgery 'with 100% accuracy'
Warning: Graphic images of the surgery below
In a "major leap" towards using more robots in operating theatres, a machine trained on the videos of surgeries was able to remove a gallbladder from a life-like patient.
The robot was said to have operated with the expertise of a skilled human surgeon, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers in the US, even during unexpected scenarios typical in real-life medical emergencies.
The robot was able to respond to and learn from voice commands from the team, just like a novice surgeon working with a mentor.
There were 17 tasks in the surgery, with the robot having to identify certain ducts and arteries and grab them precisely, strategically place clips, and sever parts with scissors.
It was also able to adapt even when dye was introduced, which changed the appearance of the organs and tissue.
Axel Krieger, associate professor in mechanical engineering, said: "This advancement moves us from robots that can execute specific surgical tasks to robots that truly understand surgical procedures.
"This is a critical distinction that brings us significantly closer to clinically viable autonomous surgical systems that can work in the messy, unpredictable reality of actual patient care."
The work received federal government funding and was published in the journal Science Robotics.
In 2022, a robot performed the first autonomous robotic surgery on a pig. However, it required specially marked tissue, operated in a highly controlled environment, and followed a rigid, pre-determined surgical plan.
Mr Krieger said that phase was like teaching a robot to drive along a carefully mapped route.
But the new system, he claimed, was "like teaching a robot to navigate any road, in any condition, responding intelligently to whatever it encounters".
He added: "To me, it really shows that it's possible to perform complex surgical procedures autonomously."
The new system, which uses the same machine learning architecture that powers ChatGPT, also adapts to a patient's anatomical features in real-time and works to correct itself.
It can respond to spoken commands such as "grab the gallbladder head" or "move the left arm a bit to the left", and then learns from that feedback.
Ji Woong Kim, a former postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins who is now at Stanford University, said: "Our work shows that AI models can be made reliable enough for surgical autonomy - something that once felt far-off but is now demonstrably viable."
Although the robot took longer to perform the work than a human surgeon, the results were comparable to an expert surgeon, researchers said.
The team will next train and test the system on more types of surgeries.
Nuha Yassin, consultant colorectal surgeon and council member and lead for the future of surgery, robotics, and digital surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: "It's always exciting to see new developments in surgical innovation, especially in areas like robotics and digital surgery.
"That said, the real test will be how safely and effectively the findings of this study can be translated into human trials. We need to make sure that progress doesn't come at the expense of patient safety."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Nursing homes struggle with Trump's immigration crackdown
Nursing homes already struggling to recruit staff are now grappling with President Donald Trump's attack on one of their few reliable sources of workers: immigration. Facilities for older adults and disabled people are reporting the sporadic loss of employees who have had their legal status revoked by Trump. But they fear even more dramatic impacts are ahead as pipelines of potential workers slow to a trickle with an overall downturn in legal immigration. 'We feel completely beat up right now,' says Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes, which operates three nursing homes in the Atlanta area, with one-third of the staff made up of foreign-born people from about three dozen countries. 'The pipeline is getting smaller and smaller.' Eight of Cateau's workers are expected to be forced to leave after having their Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, revoked. TPS allows people already living in the U.S. to stay and work legally if their home countries are unsafe due to civil unrest or natural disasters and during the Biden administration, the designation was expanded to cover people from a dozen countries, including large numbers from Venezuela and Haiti. While those with TPS represent a tiny minority of A.G. Rhodes' 500 staffers, Cateau says they will be 'very difficult, if not impossible, to replace' and he worries what comes next. 'It may be eight today, but who knows what it's going to be down the road,' says Cateau, an immigrant himself, who arrived from Trinidad and Tobago 25 years ago. Nearly one in five civilian workers in the U.S. is foreign born, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but as in construction, agriculture and manufacturing, immigrants are overrepresented in caregiving roles. More than a quarter of an estimated 4 million nursing assistants, home health aides, personal care aides and other so-called direct care workers are foreign born, according to PHI, a nonprofit focused on the caregiving workforce. The aging of the massive Baby Boom generation is poised to fuel even more demand for caregivers, both in institutional settings and in individuals' homes. BLS projects more growth among home health and personal care aides than any other job, with some 820,000 new positions added by 2032. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies and other such businesses were counting on immigrants to fill many of those roles, so Trump's return to the White House and his administration's attack on nearly all forms of immigration has sent a chill throughout the industry. Katie Smith Sloan, CEO of LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit care facilities, says homes around the country have been affected by the immigration tumult. Some have reported employees who have stopped coming to work, fearful of a raid, even though they are legally in the country. Others have workers who are staying home with children they have kept out of school because they worry about roundups. Many others see a slowdown of job applicants. 'This is just like a punch in the gut,' she says. Rachel Blumberg, CEO of the Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences in Boca Raton, Florida, has already lost 10 workers whose permission to stay in the U.S. came under a program known as humanitarian parole, which had been granted to people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. She is slated to lose 30 more in the coming weeks with the end of TPS for Haitians. 'I think it's the tip of the iceberg,' says Blumberg, forecasting further departures of employees who may not themselves be deported, but whose spouse or parent is. Blumberg got less than 24 hours' notice when her employees lost their work authorization, setting off a scramble to fill shifts. She has already boosted salaries and referral bonuses but says it will be difficult to replace not just aides, but maintenance workers, dishwashers and servers. 'Unfortunately, Americans are not drawn to applying and working in the positions that we have available,' she says. Front-line caregivers are overwhelmingly female and a majority are members of minority groups, according to PHI, earning an average of just $16.72 hourly in 2023. Long-term care homes saw an exodus of workers as COVID made an already-challenging workplace even more so. Some facilities were beginning to see employment normalize to pre-pandemic levels just as the immigration crackdown hit, though industry-wide, there is still a massive shortage of workers. Some in the industry have watched in frustration as Trump lamented how businesses including farming and hospitality could be hurt by his policies, wondering why those who clean hotel rooms or pick tomatoes deserve more attention than those who care for elders. Beyond rescinded work authorizations for people living in the U.S., care homes are having difficulty getting visas approved for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses they recruit abroad. What used to be a simple process now stretches so long that candidates reconsider the U.S. altogether, says Mark Sanchez, chief operating officer of United Hebrew, a nursing home in New Rochelle, New York. 'There are lines upon lines upon lines,' says Sanchez, 'and now they're saying, 'I'm going to go to Canada' and 'I'm going to go to Germany and they're welcoming me with open arms.'' Looking around a facility with a majority-immigrant staff, the son of Filipino immigrants wonders where his future recruits will come from. 'I don't have ICE coming in my door and taking my people,' Sanchez says, 'but the pipeline that was flowing before is now coming in dribs and drabs.' Long-term care workers are routinely lured away not just by hospitals and doctors' offices, but restaurants, stores and factories. Half of the average nursing home's staff turns over each year, according to federal data, making the attraction and retention of every employee vital to their operation. Robin Wolzenburg of LeadingAge in Wisconsin began working to place an influx of people from Afghanistan after the U.S. pulled out its final troops four years ago and thousands of refugees arrived in her state. Care homes began hiring the refugees and were so delighted with them, some facilities began hiring refugees who arrived from Ukraine, Somalia and Congo. Though many homes had employee retention rates around 30%, Wolzenburg said the figure was above 90% with refugees. Trump has halted most refugee admissions, meaning Wolzenburg's successful outreach program has no new arrivals to target. 'It's been really devastating,' Wolzenburg says. 'Our communities that were actively working with the resettlement agencies are not seeing those referrals to long-term care like we were. There's no refugees coming in.' Lynne Katman, the founder of Juniper Communities, which runs 21 facilities across five states, says it's hard enough to find the right workers with a passion for older adults. Now, just as homes gird for an influx of residents brought on by the country's demographic shift, they're facing another challenge to a stable workforce. 'The work is hard. It's not always been the highest paying job that one can get,' she says. 'But many of the immigrants who actually have chosen this work consider caregiving a noble profession.' ___
Geeky Gadgets
2 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Claude Code Hooks : The Secret to Precise Control Over AI Agents
What if you could have complete control over the behavior of AI agents, making sure they act precisely as intended while seamlessly managing complex workflows? In the fast-evolving world of generative AI, where unpredictability and inefficiencies can derail even the most promising projects, Claude Code Hooks emerges as a fantastic option. This innovative framework redefines how developers approach agentic coding, offering tools to enhance observability, mitigate risks, and scale operations with confidence. Imagine a system where every task is logged, every action is transparent, and every potential misstep is intercepted before it happens. This isn't just a vision—it's the reality Claude Code Hooks delivers. Indy Dev Dan explore how Claude Code Hooks transforms agentic coding into a more modular, secure, and efficient process. From its ability to manage parallel sub-agents to its natural language integration that simplifies interaction, this framework equips developers with the tools to navigate the growing complexity of AI-driven systems. You'll discover how features like pre-tool safeguards and post-tool logging not only enhance control but also future-proof your workflows against evolving challenges. By the end, you'll see why this tool is more than just a technical upgrade—it's a blueprint for mastering the intricate dance of AI innovation. Overview of Claude Code Hooks Core Features of Claude Code Hooks Claude Code Hooks introduces a suite of features designed to enhance workflow management and system reliability. These features include: Pre-tool Use: Prevents the execution of potentially harmful commands, safeguarding the integrity of your system. Prevents the execution of potentially harmful commands, safeguarding the integrity of your system. Post-tool Use: Logs and records tool executions, enhancing observability and allowing continuous process refinement. Logs and records tool executions, enhancing and allowing continuous process refinement. Notification: Alerts you when agent input is required, making sure workflows remain interactive and efficient. Alerts you when agent input is required, making sure workflows remain interactive and efficient. Stop and Sub-agent Stop: Tracks task completion with detailed logs, providing transparency and accountability. These capabilities empower you to maintain precise control over agent behavior, making sure secure and efficient task execution while minimizing risks. Strengthening Observability and Control Observability and control are at the heart of Claude Code Hooks. With advanced logging mechanisms, you can monitor agent behavior in real time, identify inefficiencies, and fine-tune processes to meet evolving requirements. The framework includes safeguards to block sensitive commands, such as `rm -rf`, and restrict access to critical files, making sure system security. Additionally, modular and reusable scripts simplify the management of hooks and workflows, allowing you to adapt quickly to new challenges or project demands. This enhanced control framework not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures that your systems remain resilient and secure in dynamic environments. Claude Code Hooks: Advanced Agentic Coding Watch this video on YouTube. Dive deeper into Agentic coding with other articles and guides we have written below. Efficient Management of Parallel Sub-agents and Complex Tasks Claude Code Hooks excels in managing parallel subtasks, making it particularly effective for processing large datasets and handling long-running operations. By providing structured outputs and detailed logs, the framework ensures clarity and traceability for every subtask. This level of transparency allows you to manage intricate workflows with ease, improving both scalability and operational efficiency. The ability to execute and monitor parallel sub-agents is especially valuable for projects requiring high levels of coordination, such as data analysis pipelines or multi-agent simulations. This feature ensures that even the most complex workflows are executed seamlessly, with every step accounted for. Natural Language Integration for Seamless Interaction The integration of natural language capabilities enhances the usability of Claude Code Hooks, making it accessible and intuitive. Text-to-speech notifications keep you informed about task completions and agent updates, allowing asynchronous workflows. This feature ensures you remain connected to your systems without the need for constant monitoring, freeing up time to focus on higher-priority tasks. By using natural language integration, you can interact with your systems more effectively, reducing the cognitive load associated with managing complex workflows. This functionality bridges the gap between technical operations and user-friendly interfaces, making it a valuable tool for developers and engineers alike. Adopting Engineering Best Practices for Long-term Success Claude Code Hooks emphasizes adherence to core engineering principles such as modularity, isolation, and reusability. By following the 'Big Three' principles of AI coding—context, model, and prompt—you can build robust systems that adapt to changing requirements. These best practices ensure that your codebase remains maintainable and efficient, even as your projects grow in complexity. The framework encourages a structured approach to development, allowing you to create scalable solutions that align with industry standards. By adopting these practices, you can future-proof your systems and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI. Shaping the Future of Agentic Coding Claude Code Hooks is poised to become a cornerstone in the development of advanced AI-driven systems. Its focus on modularity, control, and scalability positions it as an essential tool for navigating the challenges of agentic coding. As the generative AI ecosystem continues to evolve, tools like Claude Code Hooks will play a critical role in driving innovation and efficiency. The competitive landscape of agentic coding tools is rapidly shifting, with significant talent movement and emerging technologies shaping the industry. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. For example, the recent departure of key engineers from Anthropic to Cursor underscores the dynamic nature of this field and the importance of staying adaptable. By incorporating Claude Code Hooks into your workflows, you gain access to a powerful framework that not only addresses current challenges but also lays the foundation for future advancements in agentic engineering. This tool enables you to build, manage, and optimize AI-driven systems, making sure that you remain at the forefront of innovation in this fast-paced domain. Media Credit: IndyDevDan Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Little-known dinner table trick can save your phone battery in seconds – you don't even need to change your settings
ONE small act at the dinner table - or your desk at work - can do wonders for conserving your battery. The little-known phone trick is particularly effective for people who are in lots of group chats. Keeping your phone face down means that it won't wake up with each notification you receive - and that can save you a little bit of charge. While a single notification won't make much difference, they can add up. And according to CNET, this small act can be the difference between your phone lasting into the afternoon and dying. If you have notifications enabled across all your apps, or you're active in lots of group chats, your screen might light up dozens of times throughout the day. That number could be even higher, depending on your digital footprint. Some teenagers have hundreds of notifications ping in their direction each day, according to a 2023 study. But when an iPhone or Android device is placed face down, its screen will not turn on for notifications. This is due to ambient light and proximity sensors, which make the screen go black depending on surrounding light levels and how close it is to the user's ear for phone calls. You know when you place your phone to your ear to take a call and the screen goes black? It's the same technology used when it's face down on a table. Costliest iPhone mistake you can make is scarily common – I'm shocked more people don't know as it saves you hundreds This feature is designed to save battery life, and prevent unwanted screen activation when the phone is not in use. While the phone will still vibrate or make a sound for notifications, the screen will remain off. Google Pixel battery tips – the official guide Here's the official Google advice for Pixel owners on how to make your battery charge go further... Tip 1: Let the phone close apps you're not using. Tip 2: Keep your phone and apps up to date. Applications become more battery efficient with each new iteration, addressing errors and glitches that use unnecessary power. Tip 3: Turn down the brightness. Save your eyes by turning down the brightness of your phone, while also saving the battery. You can also set your phone to Dark theme, which turns your background to black. It uses less power and relieves some of the strain on your eyes, too. Tip 4: Know which apps and activities are power hungry. Pixel users should be aware of what activities drain their batteries most. Video calls and gaming are at the top of the list. Users should also shut down apps they have opened but aren't using.
