The da Vinci® Surgical System

The System is the first totally "intuitive" laparoscopic surgical robot in existence. As of today, the FDA has cleared the System for use in performing many surgical procedures including general laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic (chest) surgery, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and thoracoscopically assisted cardiotomy procedures. Additionally, the da Vinci System is also presently involved in a cardiac clinical trial in the United States for totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Already more than 210 da Vinci Systems are in use in major hospitals throughout the World.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a computer-enhanced minimally invasive surgical system consisting of three components: the InSite® Vision System, Surgical Cart and Surgeon Console. The InSite Vision System provides the surgeon with a true minimally invasive 3-D view of the surgical field including depth of field, magnification and high resolution. The Surgical Cart includes the EndoWrist® Instruments. It has up to four robotic arms whereby the laparoscope and up to three EndoWrist Instruments are inserted. The EndoWrist Instruments are designed to mimic the movement of the human hands, wrists and fingers. The extensive range of motion allows precision that is not available in standard minimally invasive procedures. The Surgeon Console contains the master controls that the surgeon uses to manipulate the EndoWrist instruments. The handles or "Masters" translate the surgeon’s natural hand and wrist movements into corresponding, precise and scaled movements. The EndoWrist Instruments are only able to move when commanded by the surgeon.