InnovateHer Blog

  Robots in the Operating Room Written by Alpha Kalle Have you ever imagined what it would be like if your next surgeon were part robot as well as human? Robot-assisted surgeries are currently transforming the future of surgery and changing how doctors operate, blending human skill with advanced technology.  One of the most well-known surgical robots is the Da Vinci Surgical System, which is designed to help surgeons perform delicate procedures with incredible precision. The Da Vinci Surgical System was created by Intuitive Surgical and approved by the FDA in 2000. It was named after Leonardo da Vinci, who studied the human body and designed early machines. The system helps surgeons perform complex procedures with more precision by turning their hand movements into smaller, more controlled actions using robotic tools. But how does it work? The Da Vinci robot doesn’t operate on its own. Instead, the surgeon controls the robot’s arms through a console, guiding tools with greate...

Taking a PEEK Into The Future of Eye Care Written by Yerrin Choi Vision, arguably the most important out of the 5 senses which is why it’s important to get it regularly checked. To check your vision Optometrists and Ophthalmologists usually use an ophthalmoscope, a medical device used to visualize the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels which are all in the back of the eye.  However, in some low income areas around the world many are not fortunate enough to have access to eye care leading to many individuals living with visual impairment that could have easily been prevented. To combat this issue Dr. Andrew Bastawrous and software developer Stewart Johnson collaborated to create PEEK, The Portable Eye Examination Kit.  PEEK is a mobile app and clip-on hardware that was made to be an alternative to the expensive ophthalmoscope. PEEK utilizes the smartphones’ camera and flash to carry out many different types of vision tests even in the most remote places in the wor...

  Neurodegenerative Diseases in Women: A Growing Concern Written by Zainab AlThawab Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, have significantly affected more women than men, as they are more common among women. The reasons behind this disparity have raised significant concern. Although people may assume that neurodegenerative diseases may occur in men more than women as research shows that women live longer on average than men, this surprisingly is not the case. Women’s increased vulnerability to these conditions has become an important issue in medical research, emphasizing on the need to understand these diseases is crucial in developing effective prevention strategies, treatments, and support systems for women who have been diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases in both our present and future. Alzheimer’s disease is the foremost cause of dementia which is a brain disorder that strips people of their ability to think, learn, and remember, and ev...