Darrin Uecker

Voice activation of a surgical robotic assistant

T he merger of medicine and technology often relies upon serendipity--a given set of circumstances, a chance meeting. Such is the case with robotic applications to surgery. The cessation of the Cold Wa.r has left many corporations that had been engaged in research projects for the defense industry without gainful employment. At the same time, the development of laparoscopic surgery and diminishing financial resources in medicine created the need for creative solutions to specific problems, such as the development that is the subject of this article.