SEDASYS – a robotic anesthesiologist

… The FDA recently approved a new robotic device which can automate the sedation of healthy patients having colonoscopies. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, created SEDASYS, a computer-assisted device that administers the prescription drug propofol into the blood stream via intravenous IV infusion. The device can detect signs associated with oversedation and can automatically modify or stop infusion.
…  “The technology will empower health care facilities to more effectively use their limited resources to deliver greater value in the increasingly resource-constrained U.S. health care environment.” SEDASYS will cost about $150 per procedure – on a fee-per-use plan from J&J – where anesthesiologists generally cost between $600 to $2,000.
… Actively lobbied against for years by the anesthesiologists association, the FDA finally approved the device in May. J&J will begin marketing SEDASYS early next year.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.