A team of researchers fromUniversity of Oxford and Devanthro GmbH modified one robotic shoulder to allow it to have an elongation mechanism useful for growing human tendon tissue. In their studio, the team of experts talks about modifying the robot’s shoulder and using it as a bioreactor to grow human tendon tissue.
The results of the Research have been published in the dedicated magazine Communications Engineering.
Robotic Shoulder: This is how tendon tissue develops
Over the past few decades, scientists have carefully investigated the possibility of harnessing fibroblast cells to grow human tissue capable of replacing lost or damaged tissue in human patients.. For this reason, the researchers cultivated organs, skin, cartilage and even a trachea. But all of this research is still in its infancy.
One area of research that has proved particularly challenging is the growth of tendon tissue. Previously engineered tissues do not have the required elasticity useful for use in a human patient. Attempts have been made to increase elasticity by building devices that stretch and fold fabric as it grows.
Unfortunately, these attempts have not produced fabric that can bend, twist, and stretch to the extent that real fabric can. In this new research, the scientists used a new approach. Instead of growing tendon tissue in containers with devices that pull it, the team of experts cultivated it in a more human-like way, on a joint manufactured to mimic a human shoulder – a robotic shoulder.
In order to develop their research, Oxford University scientists modified an open source robot developed by Devanthro’s engineers by equipping it with a robotic shoulder to allow for the addition of a bioreactor and a means to attach new tissue as it grew.. Once the bioreactor and hair-like filaments were placed on the robotic shoulder, the team flooded the relevant areas with nutrients to stimulate growth.
The cells were then allowed to grow for a period of two weeks, during which time the robotic shoulder was activated for 30 minutes each day, bending, pulling and twisting, simulating the movements of an ordinary human.
At the end of the growth period, the researchers studied the resulting tissue and found that it was different from tissue grown in a static environment, but are still unable to determine if the tissue represents an improvement over other methods. More work is needed to determine if the newly grown tissue might be close enough to that of a human.
Robotics applied to medicine is making great strides. The first robots originated in the 1980s and were mainly used in surgical assistance via robotic arm technologies. Over the years, artificial intelligence (AI) -enabled computer vision and data analytics have transformed medical robots, expanding their capabilities into many other areas of healthcare, as has happened with the robotic shoulder used to develop tendon tissue.
In fact, today robots are used not only in the operating room, but also in the clinical setting to support healthcare professionals and improve patient care.. For example, hospitals and clinics are deploying robots for a much wider range of activities to help reduce exposure to pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case they were real robot assistants in the aisle.
The use of robotics and automation also extends to research laboratories where robotic machines are employed to automate manual, repetitive, and high-volume tasks so that technicians and scientists can focus their attention on more strategic tasks that speed up operations. discoveries.
Optimized workflows and risk reduction provided by medical robotics offer value in many areas. For example, robots can clean and prep patient rooms independently, helping to limit person-to-person contact in infectious disease wards. Robots with AI-enabled drug identification software reduce the time it takes to identify, match and distribute drugs to patients in hospitals.
As technologies evolve, robots will function more autonomously, and will eventually perform certain tasks on their own. As a result, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals will be able to spend more time providing direct care to patients.
![Robotic shoulder](https://tech.icrewplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/kuka-medrobotics-1024x576.jpg)
The use of robotics in the medical field enables a high level of patient care, efficient processes in the clinical setting and a safe environment for patients and healthcare professionals. Not only that, we have seen in the case of the robotic shoulder, how they are also fundamental for medical research.
The field of surgical robotics is evolving to make greater use of AI. Artificial intelligence allows surgical robots to differentiate tissue types within their field of view. For example, surgical robots now have the ability to help surgeons avoid nerves and muscles during procedures.
High-definition 3D machine vision can provide surgeons with detailed information and improved performance during procedures. Eventually, the robots will be able to perform small sub-procedures, such as suturing or other defined tasks, under the watchful eye of the surgeon.
Robotics also plays a key role in surgeon training. Simulation platforms use artificial intelligence and virtual reality to provide training in surgical robotics. Within the virtual environment, surgeons can practice procedures and hone skills using robotic controls.
#Robotic #shoulder #grows #tendon #tissue