How 5G Networks Are Changing Remote Surgery?

Imagine a doctor in New York performing surgery on a patient in Tokyo without leaving their office. This is now possible thanks to 5G networks, which make remote surgery a reality. In this article, we’ll discuss how 5G technology transforms healthcare by enabling doctors to operate on patients from miles away.

What Is Remote Surgery?

Remote surgery is when a surgeon uses robotic tools and cameras to operate on a patient in a different location. The surgeon controls the robot’s movements using a computer while the robot copies those movements exactly. This requires super-fast internet to send video, sound, and data without delays.

Before 5G, older internet connections were too slow for this. Even a tiny delay could make the robot move incorrectly, risking the patient’s safety. Now, 5G’s speed and reliability are solving these problems.

Curious about how digital breakthroughs are shaping this field? Discover insights in Digital Healthcare by Tedrick Bairn.

How 5G Makes Remote Surgery Possible?

5G technology acts like a supercharged bridge between surgeons and patients, allowing operations across cities or continents. Let’s break down how it works in easy-to-understand steps:

1. Speed That Keeps Up With Human Reflexes

5G sends data 100 times faster than 4G networks. To put this in perspective:

• A surgeon’s hand movement takes about 200 milliseconds (0.2 seconds) to reach the brain.

• With 5G, signals from the operating room reach the surgeon’s tools in just a millisecond (0.001 seconds).

This speed ensures live video feeds show blood vessels, tissues, and tools without blurring. For example, 5G can stream a K video of a beating heart while the surgeon operates, making it feel like they’re looking directly at the patient.

2. No More Delays (The "Latency" Problem Solved)

Imagine playing a video game where your controller responds a second after you press a button—this delay is called latency. Older networks had latency issues that made remote surgery dangerous.

With 5G, when a surgeon twists a robotic tool to stitch a wound, the robot copies the movement instantly. This near-real-time response prevents mistakes caused by lag.

3. Handling Tons of Data at Once

A single remote surgery uses:

• High-definition cameras (to see inside the body)

• Robotic arms (to cut, stitch, or clamp)

• Heart rate monitors and blood pressure sensors

• Audio systems (for doctors to talk to nurses)

5G networks can connect up to million devices per square kilometer without slowing down. This means all tools in the operating room stay synced, even if zero surgeons are collaborating on one patient.

4. Safety Nets Built Into the System

5G uses network slicing technology, which creates separate “lanes” for different types of data. For example:

• Emergency signals (like a dropping heart rate) get priority over routine data.

• Video feeds use a different lane than robot control signals to avoid interference.

• This setup is like having an ambulance with its traffic lane—it ensures critical information always arrives first.

Benefits of 5G in Remote Surgery

For Patients

• Access to Specialists: People in rural areas can get surgeries from top city doctors.

• Faster Care: Remote surgeons can start operating immediately in emergencies like strokes.

• Less Pain: Robotic tools make more minor cuts, reducing bleeding and recovery time.

For Doctors

• Reduced Fatigue: Surgeons can work from a comfortable chair instead of standing for hours.

• Training Opportunities: New surgeons can watch experts operate live and ask questions.

Challenges and Risks

While 5G is revolutionary, there are still hurdles:

Security Risks

Hackers could target 5G networks to disrupt surgeries or steal patient data. Hospitals need stronger cybersecurity to protect their systems.

Cost

5G equipment and robots are expensive. Small hospitals might struggle to afford them.

Network Reliability

If the 5G signal drops during surgery, it could endanger the patient. Backup systems (like wired internet) are essential6.

How does 5G reduce latency in remote surgeries?

5G technology significantly reduces latency in remote surgeries, making it possible for surgeons to perform intricate procedures from great distances. Here’s how 5G achieves this remarkable feat:

1. Ultra-Low Latency

One of the standout features of 5G is its ultra-low latency, which can drop to just millisecond. This is a substantial improvement over previous generations like 4G, which typically had latencies ranging from 50 to 100 milliseconds. The minimal delay allows for real-time control of robotic surgical instruments, ensuring that the surgeon's commands are executed almost instantly.

2. High-Speed Data Transfer

5G networks support high-speed data transfer, essential for quickly transmitting large amounts of information. During remote surgeries, high-definition video feeds and real-time patient data must be shared without lag. With 5G, these data streams can travel at gigabit speeds, allowing surgeons to receive clear images and vital signs without interruption.

3. Massive Device Connectivity

5G improves the connectivity of many devices since many devices can work concurrently without compromising on performance. amplify this concept course by enhancing the data transfer speed amongst the various existing medical devices, mainly in the operation theater where the use of cameras, robotic arms, and monitors, among others, are required in the theater.

4. Network Slicing

One of the key issues with 5G is network slicing, which divides the entire network into several virtual networks. This means that essential data required in surgeries are prioritized ahead of less significant signals needed, such as the signals from the robotic instruments.

Conclusion

The 5G networks remain a progressive breakthrough in the field of healthcare by providing increased speed, safety, and the possibility of surgeon-less operations. Though there are still issues like cost and security, the technology has saved the life-threatening risks and will continue to advance. Currently, with the 5G in the offing, the usual future of surgery is not just about having better and better hardware, but it will facilitate the delivery of quality surgical services regardless of the geographical location of the patient.