Step Right Up–You Go First…
Here is at least one Japanese gadget (tool?) that seems practical and is not either totally weird or Hello Kitty-branded. Gizmodo reports on a new minibot that performs surgery from the inside out. While previous bots designed for your insides could only take pictures, this is apparently the first to actually be proactive once inside.
An aside. My friend Frank had to have a colonoscopy (sadly, as a mere precaution or as a result of one of those false positives) and they somehow forgot to administer the anesthetic so that he finally asked if it was supposed to be that painful. Well, it isn’t–just “uncomfortable.” Only happens once in a million times though (but that’s enough…)
However, that isn’t the point. He read somewhere that the colon is actually 60 feet long or something and all coiled up, so he wondered why the instrument is only about three feet long? The doctor explained that they don’t have to look at the whole thing–if anything’s wrong it’s obvious from just one part. Naturally, I volunteered to phone the doctor to ask if he could have the 60-foot one next time–just to be on the safe side.
But, if you do need something looked at or done, I guess it’s better if they use something like this rather than having Dr Butcher cut you up to get inside? As Gizmodo comments:
Boy, this sounds pleasant. Researchers in Japan have developed a minibot that enters your body via an incision. It’s then controlled from the outside while it performs surgery on you. It has forceps to take tissue samples, can deliver medicine, and take pictures. So what do you think? Would you rather have a doc slicing and dicing from the outside in, or would you be OK having a tiny robot swimming around your insides doing all the work instead? I can’t really imagine the feeling of having a robot inside me, but I guess in the long run it would be better to have the most minimally invasive surgery possible.
Poor Mari….she’s my favorite. If I ever become a j-pop singer and part of the...
Hmmm… A three foot long instrument or an itty bitty robot rooting arount your plumbing? Not really a hard decision is it?
Here is at least one Japanese gadget (tool?) that seems practical and is not either totally weird or Hello Kitty-branded.
That’s probably because it’s still new. I predict there will be a Hello Kitty version of this gadget sometime in the future.
On a semi-related side note: Can anyone here at Japundit confirm this article? It seems to me that this would be some pretty big news, yet I haven’t heard it mentioned anywhere. If it’s true, I’d like to say this gives me further incentive to visit Japan.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:05 amYes (praise the Lord!) that article is accurate. If you search Google with “STEM CELL” AND BREAST you will find 1+ million mentions, including BBC News, New Scientist, Harvard Gazette, etc. so the development seems to be quite genuine. But, as Gizmodo noted in their own coverage: “Leave it to Japan to take cutting edge medical tech, and turn it into a way to get bigger boobs.” (!)
February 28th, 2007 at 2:20 amAh, I see. My mistake for not checking with Google. I generally use my favourite Japan blogish sites to keep me up to date on Japan’s latest mammary inovations. Sometimes I’m just too lazy to, you know, look things up.
I hope this surgery comes to the US – though given the American controversy of using stem cells, I doubt it will happen anytime soon.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:58 amThe colon is not 60 feet long. It’s about 4-5 feet long, at the most. Likewise, the small intestine is no where near 60 feet; more like 20 feet. Therefore, a 3 foot colonoscope is long enough to examine the entire length of the colon, from the rectum to the ileocecal valve. Additionally, there is generally no “general anesthetic” admisitered during a colonoscopy. It’s usually a sedative such as fentanyl (an opiate), with an amnestic such as midazolam. The latter is key because it allows you to forget how painful and unpleasant the procedure was, so you’re actually “ok” with coming back for your followup.
BTW, most physicians in the US reccommend colonoscopies staring at the age of 50 for most people who don’t have major predisposing factors. Follow-up is every 5-10 years. Despite the discomfort and hassle, this is actually a small price/risk to pay. Since all colon cancers begin as benign polyps, detection and removal of those polyps basically negates the chance of them becoming invasive. For people who have major risk factors such as FAP or HNPCC, these screenings are critical.
Although this little robot is a novel idea, it likely won’t see the light, er, dark of day….whatever, of your colon for some time. Colonoscopies already cost a significant amount of money as far as “screening tests” go; I suspect that this little robot doesn’t come cheap. And even if cost wasn’t an issue, it will still have to undergo the rigors of a randomized controlled trial against standard colonoscopies to investigate its efficacy and safety.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:57 amAn addendum: It’s also possible that Frank got a SIGMOIDOSCOPY instead of a full colonoscopy; this procedure uses a much shorter endoscope to look at the first foot or so of the colon – the rectum and sigmoid colon.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:03 amNix said “I hope this surgery comes to the US – though given the American controversy of using stem cells, I doubt it will happen anytime soon”
I think this surgery uses adult stem cells, not fetal stems cells. There’s alot of good things going on in the US with adult stems cells as well so it’ll probably catch on. You know those Hollywood types, they’ll get into the action!
February 28th, 2007 at 10:33 amI’m sure shaggywerewolf is correct in his corrections. I was just guessing when I said sixty feet! And I do know there is no such thing as “minor” general anesthesia–if you are out you are out and on life support? They give you some kind of local for this and I did wonder exactly how it works? Anyways, Frank didn’t get it for whatever reason and felt what it REALLY would feel like! But in total agreement–nobody likes it and a bit uncomfortable but best they have a look early and you stay alive?
February 28th, 2007 at 11:24 amI had some bladder problems a short while back, and let me tell you. . . A colonoscopy is a walk in the park compared to the what they crawl up into to get at the inside of your bladder!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:52 amI know what you mean JP–because when I was talking to the doctor about this he said bladder and prostate are totally different things with different names and a different procedure and for all I know even WORSE! Thing is–us old guys better have them to be safe but I think it would be much better if we didn’t have to? Can’t they just take x-rays or something?
February 28th, 2007 at 11:56 amAnother addendum. JP–does getting a camera into your bladder involve what I think it does? I simply CANNOT imagine this and would need either a ton of narcotics or ritual suicide. But are we just sissies and the doctors think this is just a normal precaution and necessary data involving minor discomfort. Again, this is absolutely the worst thing I can imagine. In comparison to any of this stuff, the doctor poking his finger up your ass and saying “that seems OK” from his vast experience looks a lot better? I think shaggywerewolf, who seems to know all about this stuff, should give us some kind of tutorial for the record. This is Canada so a colonoscopy costs us exactly nothing (but it still costs somebody something–probably taxpayers which I guess is us). But I’m 55 and shaggywerewolf says I should already have had one. All this stuff just makes me anxious and worried and NONE of it sounds like anything to look forward to and the alternative appears to be death. Shaggywerewolf must enlighten us. But I don’t like the sounds of it at all.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:06 pmGo on and get reamed, Paul. I got the colon video tour, and it wasn’t bad at all, except for the after-effects. I was conscious throughout, but the memory wasn’t bad (or maybe it was the midazolam). Colon cancer is treated with a snip of the little scissors if it’s caught early enough.
I got all the horror stories, too, but the whole procedure was a breeze – and I don’t have to go back for another 5 years or so.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:23 pmYeah, ghoti–sure it isn’t as bad as they say–maybe a bit of discomfort and really good drugs. And I know it’s best to know soon and nip it in the bud. But you mentioned “after-effects”???
February 28th, 2007 at 3:31 pmDoes getting a camera into your bladder involve what I think it does?
Indeed it does.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:52 pmMy doctor said it only happens to one in a hundred, and it happened to him. They give you a drug that puts your bowels to sleep, so they don’t contract. The procedure itself introduces a fair bit of air. For most people, the drug wears off just after the procedure, but for us lucky ones it stays in effect for several hours afterwards.
Just imagine eating a big meal of pork and beans, yet not being able to fart. You are doubled over with gas, yet it goes nowhere.
That said, the first fart you do manage will be the most unforgettably satisfying fart of your life. Mine was so good I named it Etna.
Who says growing old is no fun?
February 28th, 2007 at 8:15 pmAfter reading a selection of these passages, I find myself increasingly disturbed by the number of my fellow bloggers who have have been repeatedly raped by their doctors.
Even more disturbing is the number of you bragging about the drugs you received or the satisfying flatus which you released from your recently loosened gluteul muscles.
Now I realize that all these procedures have a legitimate medical purpose, and I do enjoy intoxicants, but try though I may to understand… I just couldn’t ever see myself waking up from a
February 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pmdrug induced hypnosis with my ass aching, my penis feeling like someone tried to massage my prostate by shoving a chop stick up it, farting out gobs of Vaseline(TM), and thinking…”SCORE DUDE, I’M SO HIGH, THAT WAS TOTALLY WORTH GETTING FUCKED UP THE ASS WITH A HOSE FOR.”
Looks like scientists in Europe have developed a similar, er, tool.
geekologie.com/2006/06/robot_worms_for_stomach_and_in.php
March 1st, 2007 at 4:39 amThe Europeans also are way ahead on the development of robot cockroaches as well.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:50 am“Who says growing old is no fun?” – I DO
March 1st, 2007 at 3:54 pm“midazolam… allows you to forget how painful and unpleasant the procedure was”
Sounds like a good way to build a reputation as a great lover. They just keep coming back for more, but never can explain why….
March 1st, 2007 at 5:40 pm