Telemedicine technology and implications for reproductive office operations.

Telemedicine had been very slowly making inroads into standard clinical practice. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the rapid implementation of telemedicine across most practices. The efficiency and permanence of telemedicine services depends on a multitude of factors including technologic choices, governmental and insurance regulations, reimbursement policies, and staff and patient education and acceptance. Although challenges remain and the extent of implementation is still evolving, it is clear that telemedicine is here to stay and that all those involved in health care need to be familiar with its opportunities and challenges.

Chips Hold the Key to Reproductive Health.

Female reproductive medicine may not have been entirely overlooked in the history of medical research, but it has never been given the attention that it deserves. There are signs, however, that the spotlight is turning toward the most essential of human processes.

Computer-assisted reproductive surgery: why it matters to reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialists.

Trained fertility specialists possess a unique clinical perspective and an extensive medical and technological armamentarium to overcome reproductive dysfunction: it is their privilege and ethical duty to lead the field of reproductive surgery. However, modern reproductive surgery can no longer exist outside of the realm of advanced laparoscopy. This has been a major hurdle to the thriving of surgery within our subspecialty, owing to the time and effort required to achieve and maintain proficiency in the anti-ergonomic environment of conventional laparoscopy. Computer-assisted surgery minimizes aptitudinal restrictions to the adoption of advanced laparoscopy. As such, it promotes strategy over technique and may hold the key to the continued success of high-specialty reproductive surgery.

Robotics in reproductive medicine.

In the past decade, robotic technology has been increasingly incorporated into various industries, including surgery and medicine. This chapter will review the history, development, current applications, and future of robotic technology in reproductive medicine. A literature search was performed for all publications regarding robotic technology in medicine, surgery, reproductive endocrinology, and its role in both surgical education and telepresence surgery. As robotic assisted surgery has emerged, this technology provides a feasible option for minimally invasive surgery, impacts surgical education, and plays a role in telepresence surgery.

Current status of robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery in reproductive medicine and gynaecology.

Laparoscopic techniques have revolutionized the concept of minimally invasive surgery. Robotically assisted surgery is one of the latest innovations in this field and many operative laparoscopic procedures have been performed in urology, cardiac and general surgery. More recently, the use of robotically assisted techniques have been introduced in gynaecology, and most available studies have shown it to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, whether or not to approach the management of certain gynaecological pathologies with a laparotomy or laparoscopy (conventional or with robotic aid) continues to be a point of debate. This article reviews recent developments in the endoscopic management of reproductive (tubal reanastomosis and myomectomies) and other gynaecological surgical conditions (hysterectomies, pelvic organ prolapse, repair of vesicovaginal fistulas and staging for gynaecological malignancies). Ongoing controversies associated with this technology, such as cost, learning curve, conversion rate to laparotomy, post-surgical fertility and complications, are briefly addressed. Long-term analysis of outcomes is ongoing.

Robotics in reproductive medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To review the history, development, current applications, and future of robotic technology. DESIGN: The MEDLINE database was reviewed for all publications on robotic technology in medicine, surgery, reproductive endocrinology, its role in surgical education, and telepresence surgery. SETTING: University medical center. CONCLUSION(S): Robotic-assisted surgery is an emerging technology, which provides an alternative to traditional surgical techniques in reproductive medicine and may have a role in surgical education and telepresence surgery.

Obstetric and gynecologic devices; reclassification and classification of medical devices used for in vitro fertilization and related assisted reproduction procedures--FDA. Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it is reclassifying instrumentation intended for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures, including but not limited to gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), embryo transfer (ET), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). FDA is also reclassifying assisted reproduction microscopes and microscope accessories from class III to class I. This reclassification is on the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services' (the Secretary's) own initiative based on new information. Accordingly, the order is being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Upon the effective date, this Federal Register document may be cited in the absence of an existing predicate device which would be used to support substantial equivalence. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled "Devices Used for In Vitro Fertilization and Related Assisted Reproduction Procedures: Submission Guidance for a 510(k)."