Minimally invasive surgical techniques require methods and instruments that are small.  When combined with robotic surgery, Gregory Ward, M.D., performs procedures with precision and flexibility. As assistant professor at Saint Louis University Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Oncology, Ward helped SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital become the first in the region to offer a flexible robotic system. The less invasive surgery is called the Flex Robotic System, essentially robot-assisted surgery, by Medrobotics. See how the innovation is making a difference for both patients and doctors.

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Teacher Resources for the Video:

NGSS Disciplines Addressed in Standards Referenced Below:
• Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

Discussion Questions:
• What examples of science and engineering practices do you see in action as doctors use the flexible robot in surgery?
• What examples of interdependence do students see between science, engineering, and technology when doctors use the robot?
• Have students or anyone they know experienced surgery performed by a robot rather than a person? What is their comfort level with this type of surgery? If they were a doctor using robotic surgery, how would they deal with any similar patient uncertainties?

Activity Ideas:
• Use the video with a vocabulary activity focused on the terms below that are included in the video as well as others from the video you might select. Based on what they learn in the video, have students hypothesize the definition of each, share their ideas, and then finalize a definition based on their ideas and what they could also research.
• Use the video as part of a “future of medicine” unit in class. Contact local doctors and hospitals to find people for students to interview about similar types of technology they are using and what they see as the future of medicine. Based on the interview, have students write a newspaper or magazine article or create a TV news report on the subject.

Vocabulary to Consider:
• Otolaryngology
• Precision

Resources for Additional Research:
• Learn more about the Flex Robotic System here and here.
• Learn more about the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices at the NSTA website.

Unique ID for the Video: IinAction-16
• Use the unique ID as a shortcut for students to find this specific video. Click on Search and choose “By Video ID.” Type in the Video ID as it appears above.

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