The University of Nebraska’s spaceMIRA, a compact robotic surgical assistant, made a historic debut on the International Space Station, situated 250 miles above Earth. On Feb. 10, surgeons on Earth remotely controlled the device to perform simulated surgical procedures in space for the first time.
This two-hour simulation involved six surgeons using spaceMIRA to dissect synthetic tissue. Dr. Michael Jobst, a colorectal surgeon from Nebraska, remarked on the delay experienced during remote operation, noting it’s “definitely slower” than conventional surgery.
However, unlike larger surgical robots such as the Da Vinci system, spaceMIRA’s small size — just over 30 inches long and weighing around 2 pounds — sets it apart.
This innovation not only facilitates surgical care in space but also has the potential to revolutionize health care on Earth, especially in areas facing a shortage of surgeons. With one-third of U.S. counties currently lacking local surgeons, a gap projected to increase, spaceMIRA’s developers see remote surgery as a promising solution for improving access to care.
Although not yet approved for commercial use, the technology is viewed as a game-changer for the future of surgery.
