Design and Development of Smart Surgical Assistant Technologies: A Case Study for Translational Sciences

Description

Are Amazon Alexa and Google Home limited to our bedrooms, or can they be used in hospitals? Do you envision a future where physicians work hand-in-hand with voice AI to revolutionize healthcare delivery? In the near future, clinical smart assistants will be able to automate many manual hospital tasks—and this will be only the beginning of the changes to come. Voice AI is the future of physician-machine interaction and this Focus book provides invaluable insight on its next frontier. It begins with a brief history and current implementations of voice-activated assistants and illustrates why clinical voice AI is at its inflection point. Next, it describes how the authors built the world’s first smart surgical assistant using an off-the-shelf smart home device, outlining the implementation process in the operating room. From quantitative metrics to surgeons’ feedback, the authors discuss the feasibility of this technology in the surgical setting. The book then provides an in-depth development guideline for engineers and clinicians desiring to develop their own smart surgical assistants. Lastly, the authors delve into their experiences in translating voice AI into the clinical setting and reflect on the challenges and merits of this pursuit. The world’s first smart surgical assistant has not only reduced surgical time but eliminated major touch points in the operating room, resulting in positive, significant implications for patient outcomes and surgery costs. From clinicians eager for insight on the next digital health revolution to developers interested in building the next clinical voice AI, this book offers a guide for both audiences. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgments Author Biographies Chapter 1 Introduction to Voice-Activated Assistants 1.1 What Is Voice-Activated Technology? 1.2 System Architecture of Voice-Activated Technology 1.3 History 1.3.1 Humble Beginnings: The 1920s 1.3.1.1 Radio Rex 1.3.2 Significant Developments in Speech Recognition: 1950 to 1990 1.3.2.1 Digit Recognizers 1.3.2.2 DARPA 1.3.3 Modern Developments: 1990 to 2020 1.3.3.1 Development of Internet, Microprocessors, and Internet of Things Devices 1.3.3.2 Modern Voice-Activated Smart Assistant Technology Further Reading References Chapter 2 Commercial Voice-Activated Assistants 2.1 Reason for Adoption 2.1.1 Hands-Free Interaction 2.1.2 Voice Is the Most Natural Mode of Communication 2.1.3 Voice Is the Most Efficient Mode of Communication 2.2 Current Applications of Voice-Activated Assistants 2.2.1 Mobile Assistants 2.2.2 Smart Home Assistants 2.2.3 Commercial Assistants 2.3 The Future of Voice-Activated Assistants 2.3.1 Conversational AI 2.4 Challenges 2.4.1 Privacy 2.4.2 Public Perception 2.4.3 Exclusion of Certain Users 2.4.4 Introduction to Healthcare Applications References Chapter 3 Development of Smart Surgical Assistants 3.1 Introduction 3.1.1 Similar Technology at Work 3.2 Methods 3.2.1 Identifying Problems to Tackle 3.2.1.1 Reduced Surgical Site Infection 3.2.1.2 Shorter Operative Time 3.2.1.3 More Efficient Allocation of Human Resources 3.2.2 Observations to Guide Our Proposed Solution 3.2.3 Design Requirements 3.2.3.1 System Design 3.2.4 Development of the System 3.2.5 Testing and Implementation 3.3 Results 3.4 Discussion 3.4.1 Merits 3.4.2 Future Outlook References Chapter 4 Merits and Challenges of Translational Sciences 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 Translational Science from the Engineering Perspective 4.2 Merits of Translational Science 4.2.1 Healthcare Innovations from a Solution-Oriented Approach 4.2.2 Drug Device and Discovery 4.2.3 Promotion of Multidisciplinary Collaboration 4.3 Challenges of Translational Science 4.3.1 Complex Processes and Extended Length of Time 4.3.2 Immature Technology and Techniques Inhibiting Translational Work 4.3.3 Challenges in Teamwork and Management 4.3.4 The Importance of Advanced Training 4.3.5 The Reality of Translational Research in the Private Sector and Academia 4.3.6 Challenges Associated with Engineering-Related Translational Research References Chapter 5 Overcoming the Challenges of Translational Research 5.1 Expansion of Translational Science Education and Research 5.2 Increased Funding in Translational Research Apparatus and Methods 5.3 Continued Investment into Physician Scientists References Index