Healthcare complexities in the U.S. are harrowing, but several major societal drivers for improved healthcare and clear cost control are present. Many of these, including affordability, quality and safety, can be addressed by emerging robotic technology. 

Through robotics, existing medical procedures can be improved and new procedures can be developed that are less invasive and produce fewer side effects, resulting in faster recovery times and improved health outcomes, thus substantially improving risk-benefit ratios and maximizing value to all stakeholders.

Medical robotics is already making an impact in several areas of surgery, including urologic, gynecologic, cardio-thoracic and general surgery. In the Atlanta area, there are a wide variety of researchers and practitioners already engaged in numerous efforts surrounding the topic of surgical and medical robotics.  

The purpose in forming the Atlanta Area Special Interest Group in Medical/Surgical Robotics is to bring together a group of clinicians, medical researchers and academics for informal discussions to learn more about ongoing activities in the metro-Atlanta area and facilitate interactions to develop critical collaborations.  

At the meeting, robotic experts will showcase new developments and pose questions for future developments. Medical researchers will discuss new developments and future potential. Surgeons and medical doctors will discuss the current state of the art and identify needs in the operating theater and on the wards.  

The group will explore limitations in the current non-autonomous system and factors related to the lack of innovation and penetration into the surgical markets.

The group will also consider design and development needs in an effort to bring together academics, surgeons and engineers as a comprehensive Atlanta medical/surgical robotics community.

Agenda:

9:00 am - 9:15 am Welcome & Introductions

9:15 am - 10:30 am Session 1 (15 minutes each) 

• Nikil Shah (Piedmont) "Clinical Needs in Robotic Surgery"

• Michael Halkos (Emory) "Clinical Needs in Cardiac Surgery"

• Henrik Christensen (GA Tech) "Robotics in Medical Domains"

• Jun Ueda (GA Tech) "Robotic Manipulators and Devices"

• Nathan Mordel (AMIGS) "Clinical Needs in Robotic Gynecological Surgery"

10:30 am - 11:00 am Discussion/Panel (30 mins) Nikil/Henrik

11:00 am - 11:30 am Break/Networking

11:30 am - 12:15 pm Session 2 (15 mins each) 

• Eric Sarin (Emory) "Clinical Needs for Training and Simulation"

• Irfan Essa (GA Tech) "Imaging, Sensing, Analysis"

• Jarek Rossignac (GA Tech) "Simulation and Modeling"

12:15 pm - 12:45 pm Discussion/Panel (30 mins) Eric/Irfan

12:45 pm Lunch/Closing/Next Steps

Please complete a brief registration form to attend the inaugural meeting. If you are unable to attend, but wish to be informed of future events, please complete the relevant portions of the form. If you would like to make a short presentation at the meeting, please provide details when submitting your registration.

Meeting Location: Georgia Tech Campus
Klaus Advanced Computing Building, Room 1443
266 Ferst Drive Atlanta, GA 30332-0765