surgery OR surgeon (in TOPIC) AND robot* OR manipulator (in TOPIC) NOT laparoscop* (in TOPIC and TITLE). Assistive wearable robotics L. H. Sloot, P. Kudzia, S. Allen, K Abstract Robot-assisted surgery has become one of the most technologically advanced surgical procedures. In 1999, Intuitive Surgical unveiled the da Vinci system, a robotic device developed to help surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures without the disadvantages of traditional laparoscopic techniques. In this current study, surveys were developed for three different populations consisting of the general public, post-operative patients, and medical practitioners. The surveys aimed to collect data regarding each of the populations’ perceptions on robot-assisted surgery. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data, and results were compared between and within each of the three populations. Differences existed between the three populations’ perceived impact of RAS on patient recovery time, length of procedure, and operator learning curve. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Professor Gregory Fischer for his guidance, patience, and openmindedness with a research topic so little previously explored, Professor Laurie Fischer for her advice on designing a scientifically valid survey, the Mechanical Engineering Department that so generously donated envelopes for survey distribution, WPI Mail Services for facilitating distribution of the surveys, Dr. Nguyen and the Urology Department at Children’s Hospital Boston, Dr. Parulkar, Pam Sigel, and the Urology Department at St. Vincent’s Hospital Worcester, and Dr. Poston andthe Cardiothoracic Surgical Department at Boston University Medical Center for their contribution of post-operative patient populations along with general guidance throughout the research study. Surgeons will often refer to three main types of surgical methods: open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted. Traditional surgery in its earliest form was open. The surgeon completed all procedures during the surgery by hand using small, basic surgical tools such as scalpels, scissors, and forceps inside of a large incision. From there, laparoscopic surgery developed and took rootin the 1980s. i Laparoscopic surgery involves minimally invasive techniques. Small “keyhole” incisions are made in the abdomen and laparoscopic tools are used including a two dimensional endoscopic camera, and larger extensions of the basic hand tools used in open surgery. Both open and laparoscopic surgical procedures involve the surgeon at the patient’s side for the entirety of the procedure. The most recent surgical classification is robotic-assisted surgery, in which the same minimally invasive procedure is assisted with a robotic device. With this type of surgery, a robotic system is used in conjunction with laparoscopic technique. Computer assisted robots mimic the surgeon’s hand motions inside of the patient’s abdominal cavity. All three of these types of surgery are closely linked, and it is crucial to recognize that while some types are preferred over others for specific procedures, no one surgical technique will ever completely replace another. In 1999, Intuitive Surgical introduced the da Vincisurgical system to the medical world. iiThe da Vinci system assists in minimally invasive surgical procedures by providing the surgeon with a sophisticated tool set, increased dexterity, and superior ergonomics. This device allows for surgeons to remotely control a series of robotic arms inside of a patient to perform various surgical procedures. Surgeons have the ability to see inside of the patient with a stereoscopic camera in three dimensions and color as well as the ability to scale the motion of their hand movements via the da Vinci system. Unlike the first two surgical techniques discussed, robot-assisted surgery is completed with the surgeon PERCEPTIONS OF SURGICAL ROBOTICS - Gilbert, Kechris, Marchese, Pelletier - 7 - somewhat physically distanced from the patient, ergonomically seated at one portion of the da Vincisystem viewing a three dimensional picture of the surgical field inside of the patient. Since the 1960s, robots have been used in manufacturing businesses such as the automotive industry. Robots have the capability of performing the same task repeatedly with much higher speed, precision, and reliability. Now, at the turn of the century robots are appearing in the surgical world assisting surgeons in minimally invasive surgical procedures. They are becoming increasingly integrated with our more intimate life activities, like surgery for example. The comfort with this occurrence of different members of society is expectedly directly reflected by the depth and accuracy of their understanding of RAS along with their generalized comfort with technology. Our study focuses on howpost-operative patients who have undergone robot-assisted surgery, robot-assisted surgical practitioners and the general public perceive a robotic device, like the da Vinci Surgical System, in an operating room. Our aim is to discover any relations between a persons’background, experience, and their perceptions of surgical robotics. Despite the exploratory nature of the current research, different specific aspects of robot-assisted surgery will be analyzed from survey results, including perceived postoperative recovery time, perceived length of the procedure