It may look strange, but this robotic rectum could help doctors and nurses detect prostate cancer.
The device, made up of a prosthetic buttocks and rectum with in-built robotic technology, is designed to recreate the feel of a rectum, to help medics learn how to perform a prostate examination.
It will also provide doctors and nurses feedback on their examination technique.
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It may look slightly strange, but this robotic rectum could help doctors and nurses detect prostate cancer. The device, made up of a prosthetic buttocks and rectum with in-built robotic technology, is designed to recreate the feel of a rectum. It will also provide doctors and nurses feedback on their examination technique
It has small robotic arms that apply pressure to the silicone rectum to recreate the back passage’s natural shape and feel.
The technology, which was developed by scientists at Imperial College London, is being presented at the Eurohaptics conference this week at Imperial.
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Rectal examinations are important to doctors diagnosing conditions like prostate cancer.
The exam is normally the first step in the diagnosis, helping medics decide whether to proceed with further tests.
A rectal exam involves a medic placing their index finger into the anus to feel the prostate gland.
It has small robotic arms that apply pressure to the silicone rectum to recreate the back passage’s natural shape and feel
Cancerous prostates tend to feel hard and knobbly, according to the scientists.
But learning exactly what a potentially cancerous prostate feels like can be difficult, said Dr Fernando Bello, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London.
‘Internal examinations are really challenging to learn – and to teach,’ Dr Bello said.
‘Because the examinations occur in the body, the trainer cannot see what the trainee is doing, and vice versa.
‘In addition to this, medics rarely get the chance to practise the examination, as few patients would volunteer as practice subjects. In fact there is only one person registered in the country as a test subject, called a Rectal Teaching Assistant (RTA) in the UK.’
In the US, some medical schools hire professional actors who are willing to go through training and get examined repeatedly by trainees.
‘But the results of these examinations can have major implications for patients – they are very important for early diagnosis of various conditions such as prostate cancer.’
Although plastic models exist to help train medical staff, these do not feel like living flesh and tissue, Dr Bello said.
The robotic ‘trainer rectum’ feels life-like, and is paired with a computer screen that displays a 3D model of the human rectum, which doctors and trainees can look at using 3D glasses.
The robotic ‘trainer rectum’ feels life-like, and is paired with a computer screen that displays a 3D model of the human rectum, which doctors and trainees can look at using 3D glasses
The technology can be programmed for different scenarios, said Dr Alejandro Granados who is leading the development of the robotic rectum.
‘We scanned a number of volunteers with an MRI scan and used this to perfect the shape and geometry of the anatomy,’ he said.
‘We have already asked a number of doctors and nurses – including prostate specialists and cancer surgeons – to trial the technology.
‘They commented on the great advantage of being able to alter the anatomy.
HOW THE ROBOTIC RECTUM COULD SAVE LIVES
A rectal exam involves a medic placing their index finger into the anus to feel the prostate gland.
Cancerous prostates tend to feel hard and knobbly, according to the scientists.
But learning exactly what a potentially cancerous prostate feels like can be difficult, said Dr Fernando Bello, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London.
‘Internal examinations are really challenging to learn – and to teach,’ Dr Bello said.
‘Because the examinations occur in the body, the trainer cannot see what the trainee is doing, and vice versa.
‘In addition to this, medics rarely get the chance to practise the examination, as few patients would volunteer as practice subjects. In fact there is only one person registered in the country as a test subject, called a Rectal Teaching Assistant (RTA) in the UK.
‘But the results of these examinations can have major implications for patients – they are very important for early diagnosis of various conditions such as prostate cancer.’
‘The size and shape of the rectum and prostate can vary greatly from person to person, and this technology enables medics to practice their skills in many different virtual patients.
‘They also observed that because these examinations are performed solely by feel, experiencing a realistic sensation is crucial.’
The team is continuing to perfect the device by collecting data from real prostate examinations in patients.
‘There is very little research into the exact pressure and trajectory a doctor needs to use for a successful prostate exam,’ said Dr Bello.
‘Therefore we are asking doctors to wear a small pressure sensor on their fingertip, underneath their surgical glove, when they are examining real patients.’
Another robotic bottom was released in the US last year. The mannequin’s name is Patrick, and he was also to help trainee doctor’s perfect prostate exams without having to practice on humans
Each device may cost over £10,000 ($13,000), but a more affordable option could be to use the finger pressure sensors and 3D software on traditional plastic models, to enhance existing training facilities.
Another robotic bottom was released in the US last year.
The mannequin’s name is Patrick, and he was also to help trainee doctor’s perfect prostate exams without having to practice on humans.
Dr Bello said, although other high-tech prosthetic rectums have been developed, none have incorporated complex haptic technology, and allowed such detailed feedback to the medic performing the examination.
‘Previous models have had a few pressure sensors placed inside a model rectum, but none have provided the type of 3D modelling and detailed touch feedback available with this technology.’
MEET ‘PATRICK’ THE ROBOTIC BOTTOM FROM FLORIDA
Another robotic bottom was released in the US last year.
The mannequin’s name is Patrick, and he was also to help trainee doctor’s perfect prostate exams without having to practice on humans.
Some medical schools hire professional actors who are willing to go through training and get examined repeatedly by trainees.
Patrick, however, lets trainee doctors hone their skills without dealing with a human.
Several times a day, Patrick is given a prostate exam – and he responds by giving medical students feedback on what they’re doing wrong.
He was the creation of researchers at the University of Florida, Drexel University and the University of Wisconsin, and he even has a personality.