| Surgery done by remote-control robots is a | | | | Besides the obvious advantages of giving the |
| brand-new technology which is revolutionizing the field | | | | surgeon a magnified, 3-D view of what he is doing, |
| of surgery. The most advanced robotic technology in | | | | robot assisted surgery also allows the surgeon to |
| the world was developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | | | | operate through much smaller incisions than traditional |
| which is located in Sunnyvale, CA, and is called the Da | | | | surgery. Endoscopy (surgery performed with |
| Vinci robot. This robot can actually perform surgical | | | | endoscopes) is much less invasive than the older |
| operations with its three arms. One of the arms has | | | | methods, which means less pain and trauma for the |
| a camera, called an endoscope. The endoscope is | | | | patient, reduced blood loss (hence reduced need for |
| inserted into the patient's body through a very small | | | | transfusion), less post-operative discomfort, less risk |
| incision. The endoscope is a fiber-optic instrument | | | | of infection, shorter hospital stays, smaller scars, and |
| with a very tiny video camera. This camera shows | | | | faster healing. Endoscopy hasn't changed the basic |
| the surgeon a 3-dimensional, 15 x magnified view of | | | | rules of surgery - it has merely provided surgeons |
| what is happening inside the patient's body on a | | | | with a powerful, accurate tool which enables them to |
| television screen. The other two arms are operated | | | | do their traditional job in a much more effective |
| by the surgeon by remote control - he puts his | | | | manner. |
| fingers into rings and manipulates the robot's fingers | | | | Robot-assisted surgery is a brand-new technology, |
| at a distance. | | | | and the Da Vinci - introduced in 1999 - is the first |
| This process, called tele-manipulation, is similar to the | | | | robot of its kind on the market (there are now over |
| robot arms on the submarine in the movie Titanic; | | | | fifty Da Vinci's in use in the United States, and forty |
| except it is far more precise. The Da Vinci robot | | | | in Europe). In 2000 the Food and Drug Administration |
| arms not only hold a camera, but also dissectors, | | | | first allowed the Da Vinci to be used in abdominal |
| scalpels, scissors, and forceps. This enables the | | | | surgery such as gallbladder removal. In 2001 the Da |
| surgeon to grasp, cut, dissect, and suture by remote | | | | Vinci was cleared for chest surgery, such as |
| control. The surgeon sits at a console away from the | | | | operations on the lungs and esophagus. Robotic heart |
| operating table and operates the robot with a | | | | surgery is carried out by detaching the thoracic |
| joystick, like the ones which operate video games, as | | | | artery and re-attaching it to a coronary artery. That |
| well as foot pedals which control the camera angle, | | | | same year the FDA allowed the Da Vinci robot to |
| focus, and which place the robot's arms into the | | | | perform robotic prostatectomy, which is removal of |
| correct position. Usually an assistant surgeon remains | | | | the prostate. The FDA closely monitors the robotic |
| with the patient to adjust the robot's position | | | | hardware, software, and training programs for |
| according to the chief surgeon's directions. | | | | surgeons who will operate the machines. |