What is the da Vinci® Surgical System?
The da Vinci Surgical System is a sophisticated robotic platform designed to expand the surgeon’s capabilities and for the first time offer a minimally invasive option for major surgery.
With the da Vinci, small incisions of 1-2 cm are used to introduce miniaturized wristed instruments and a high-definition 3D camera. Seated comfortably at the da Vinci console, your surgeon operates by viewing a highly magnified 3D image of the body’s interior. To operate, the surgeon uses master controls that work like forceps.
As your surgeon manipulates the controls, da Vinci responds to your surgeon’s input in real time, translating his or her hand, wrist and finger movements into precise movements of miniaturized instruments at the patient-side cart. The state-of-the-art robotic and computer technologies scale, filter and seamlessly translate your surgeon's hand movements into precise micro-movements of the da Vinci instruments.
The System cannot be programmed, nor can it make decisions on its own. Rather, the da Vinci Surgical System requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon.
When considering surgical treatment options, many patients have concerns about safety. In particular, patients question whether da Vinci Surgery is as safe as traditional methods.
In fact, the da Vinci Surgical System has been used successfully in tens of thousands of minimally invasive procedures worldwide. In addition, da Vinci offers multiple, redundant safety features, which make the most effective, least invasive approach potentially as safe as traditional surgical methods.
Finally, during the course of an operation, the da Vinci Surgical System will perform millions of safety self-checks. The System is designed to be fail-safe, which means that in the event of a power interruption or a safety-check failure, the System is designed to shut down safely, allowing the surgeon to remain in control of the procedure.
For additional information on the minimally invasive surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System visit .
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.