Robotics and the Future of Anesthesia

Abstract

This issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia offers a glimpse into the future of anesthetic practice. The infographic above specifically depicts concepts described by Hemmerling and Jeffries regarding the advance of robotic technology into the operating room environment. In the cited article, the authors describe robotic systems that fit the traditional mold of public perception, i.e. mechanical robots. In anesthetic practice, these systems have already been designed to aid in tracheal intubation and regional nerve blockade. Less obvious to the reader would be the presence of robots that allow for precise, target controlled infusions of anesthetic medications and those that utilize closed loop systems to titrate to individual patient determinants. Lastly, artificial intelligence and communications technology stand to rapidly advance monitoring capabilities and offer real-time decision support tools to clinicians to improve outcomes. The reader is strongly encouraged to review the cited article for an in-depth understanding of the concepts summarized in this infographic.