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Conjoined Saudi Siamese Twin Separation Surgery is Successful

The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
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Conjoined Saudi Siamese Twin Separation Surgery is Successful

The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA

A specialized surgical team has managed to separate a Saudi Siamese twin who were attached from the hip and share the spinal cord and its membranes, in a surgery that lasted seven hours over seven stages with the participation of 28 members of consultants, specialists and nursing and technical personnel.

The surgery came following the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

At the end of the surgery, muscles and nerves were examined to ensure their safety and cover the wounds, and then, the twins were transferred to the children's intensive care room to be placed under supervision within the next two days.

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, who is also head of the medical and surgical team for surgeries of separating Siamese twins, said the surgery is the 53rd carried out under the Saudi program to separate conjoined twins.

In 32 years, the Saudi program has been able to look after 127 Siamese twins from 23 countries, stressing the Kingdom’s pioneering role in humanitarian and medical work.

Al Rabeeah stated that his gesture reflects the ambitious vision led by the Crown Prince.

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South Korean Team Develops ‘Iron Man’ Robot that Helps Paraplegics Walk

Kim Seung-hwan, who is himself a paraplegic and part of the Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), demonstrates the prototype of exoskeleton robot 'WalkON Suit F1' at KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Sebin Choi P
Kim Seung-hwan, who is himself a paraplegic and part of the Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), demonstrates the prototype of exoskeleton robot 'WalkON Suit F1' at KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Sebin Choi P
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South Korean Team Develops ‘Iron Man’ Robot that Helps Paraplegics Walk

Kim Seung-hwan, who is himself a paraplegic and part of the Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), demonstrates the prototype of exoskeleton robot 'WalkON Suit F1' at KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Sebin Choi P
Kim Seung-hwan, who is himself a paraplegic and part of the Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), demonstrates the prototype of exoskeleton robot 'WalkON Suit F1' at KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Sebin Choi P

South Korean researchers have developed a lightweight wearable robot that can walk up to paraplegic users and lock itself onto them, enabling them to walk, manoeuvre obstacles and climb staircases.

The Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said their goal is to create a robot that seamlessly integrates into the daily lives of individuals with disabilities.

Kim Seung-hwan, who is himself a paraplegic and part of the KAIST team, demonstrated the prototype which helped him walk at a speed of 3.2 kph (2 mph), climb a flight of stairs and take sideways steps to slide into a bench.

"It can approach me wherever I am, even when I’m sitting in a wheelchair, and be worn to help me stand up, which is one of its most distinct features," Reuters quoted Kim.

The powered exoskeleton, named WalkON Suit F1, features aluminium and titanium composition to weigh in at 50 kg (110 lb), and is powered by 12 electronic motors that simulate the movements of human joints while walking.

Park Jeong-su, another member of the KAIST team, said he was inspired by the movie "Iron Man". "After watching Iron Man, I thought it would be great if I can help people with a robot in real life."

To ensure the user's balance while walking, the robot is equipped with sensors on its soles and in the upper body that monitor 1,000 signals per second and anticipate the user's intended movements.

Lenses on the front of the robot work as eyes which analyse its surroundings, identify the height of stairs and detect obstacles to compensate for the lack of sensory ability of users with complete paraplegia, Park said.

Kim Seung-hwan won the gold medal while wearing the WalkON Suit F1 in the exoskeleton category at Cybathlon 2024, opens new tab, which saw developers with varying physical disabilities demonstrate assistive robots in eight categories.

"I wanted to tell my son .... that I also used to able to walk. I wanted to share a diverse range of experiences with him," said Kim.