The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system that uses a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system is manufactured by the company Intuitive Surgical. The system is used for prostatectomies, increasingly for cardiac valve repair and for renal and gynecologic surgical procedures.

2.  It is designed to facilitate complex surgery
using minimally invasive approach.
 The system is controlled by a surgeon from a
console
 Enables surgeons to perform delicate and
complex operations through a few tiny
incisions with increased vision,
precision, dexterity and control.

3.  It consists of a surgeon’s console that is typically in
the same room as the patient and a patient-side
cart with four interactive robotic arms controlled
from the console
 Three of the arms are for tools that hold objects
such as
- Scalpel
- Scissors
- Bovie
 The fourth arm is for an endoscopic camera with
two lenses that gives the surgeon full stereoscopic
vision from the console.

4. Surgeon Console
 The surgeon operates seated comfortably at a
console while viewing a high definition, 3D
image inside the patient’s body.
 The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls
below the display with hands and wrists
naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes.
 The system also translates the surgeon's hand,
wrist and finger movements into precise, real-
time movements of surgical instruments.

5.  The patient is positioned during the surgery;
includes either 3 or 4 robotics arms that carry
out the surgeon’s commands.
 The robotic arms move around the fixed pivot
points which reduces trauma to the patient,
improves the cosmetic outcome and increases
overall precision.
 The system also does repeated safety checks,
which prevent any independent movement of
the instruments or robotic arms.

6. Pros
 Simpler procedure
 Minimally invasive
 Better technique
 Reduced bleeding
 Less painful
 Smaller scar
 Faster healing
 Decreased hospital stay

7. Cons
 Time
 High cost of the equipment and thereby the
procedure
 Reduction in space for assistants

8.  Better ways of accomplishing delicate medical
procedures
 Possibly for next generation medical robotics to
conduct surgical prep work remotely
 Removing human contact during surgery
 Reducing or eliminating infection intra-
operatively
 Reduce the cost of maintenance
 Easy to operate