Children's Hospital Boston uses a da Vinci" Surgical System, the state-of-the-art technology for robotically-assisted surgery. It is a sophisticated robotic platform designed to enable complex surgery using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The system uses robotic technology to allow physicians to view high resolution 3-D images of the operating site and seamlessly translates the surgeon's wrist and hand movements in the console into precise movements of the surgical equipment inside the patient. The enhanced visibility, dexterity, and precision make it ideal for use in complex surgical procedures. Children's surgeons have worked with the manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical, to create smaller instruments for use in pediatric patients.
The da Vinci Surgical System has four components:
Surgeon Console The surgeon operates while seated at a console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls, and the system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist, and finger motions into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.
Patient-side Cart This cart includes three or four robotic arms that precisely execute the surgeon's movements and perform the surgery inside the patient. Supporting members of the surgical team assist with setting up the appropriate instruments and supervise the laparoscopic arms and tools as they work on the patient.
InSite Vision System This technology includes a high-resolution 3-D endoscope and state-of-the-art image processing equipment to provide crisp and clear true-to-life images of the operating field.
Endowrist Instruments These instruments, which perform precise suturing, cutting, and tissue manipulation, allow more precision than traditional minimally-invasive equipment because they are designed to mimic the dexterity and motion of the human wrist, hand and fingers. This makes it possible to perform reconstructive surgeries not possible using other minimally invasive surgery methods.
