The Da Vinci^® Surgical System

The da Vinci Surgical System consists of an ergonomically designed surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, the high-performance InSite® Vision System and proprietary EndoWrist® Instruments. Powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology, the surgeon’s hand movements are scaled, filtered and seamlessly translated into precise movements of the EndoWrist Instruments. The net result: an intuitive interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities.

Components of the da Vinci Surgical System

Surgeon Console

• Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field.
• 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 seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.

Patient-side CartPatient-side Cart

• Provides either three or four robotic arms—two or three instrument arms and one endoscope arm—that execute the surgeon's commands
• The laparoscopic arms pivot at the 1-2 cm operating ports, eliminating the use of the patient's body wall for leverage and minimizing tissue damage.
• Supporting surgical team members assist in installing the proper instruments, prepare the 1-2 cm port in the patient and supervise the laparoscopic arms and tools being utilized.

EndoWrist Instruments

• A full range of proprietary EndoWrist instruments is available to support the surgeon while operating.
• The instruments are designed with seven degrees of motion that mimic the dexterity of the human hand and wrist.
• Each instrument has a specific surgical mission such as clamping, suturing and tissue manipulation.
• Quick-release levers speed instrument changes during surgical procedures.

Vision System

• The Vision System, with high-resolution 3-D endoscope and image processing equipment, provides the true-to-life 3-D images of the operative field.
• Operating images are enhanced, refined and optimized using image synchronizers, high-intensity illuminators and camera control units.
• Each instrument has a specific surgical mission such as clamping, suturing and tissue manipulation.
• Quick-release levers speed instrument changes during surgical procedures.

Features and Benefits of the da Vinci® Surgical System

The da Vinci Surgical System enables physicians to perform surgery in a manner never before experienced.

The da Vinci System seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand movements at the console instrument controls into corresponding micro-movements of instruments positioned inside the patient.

Overall, the da Vinci System can provide the surgeon with better visualization, dexterity, precision and control than with open surgery, while enabling operation through 1-2 cm incisions.

Superior Visualization

• Revolutionary true-to-life 3-D vision
• Bright, crisp, high-resolution image
• Immersive view of the surgical field
• The da Vinci System provides visualization of the target anatomy unlike that ever experienced, with natural depth-of-field, enhanced contrast and magnification for more accurate tissue identification and tissue layer differentiation.
• Improved visualization also enables surgeons to perform delicate tissue handling and dissection with added precision – even in confined spaces. This precision allows the surgeon to avoid trauma to surrounding structures and tissues such as the neurovascular bundle located near the prostate.

Enhanced Dexterity, Precision and Control

• Fingertip control of EndoWrist® Instruments
• 4 robotic arms enable Solo Surgery™
• 7 degrees of freedom – 90 degrees of articulation
• Motion scaling and tremor reduction
• The da Vinci System's tremor reduction, motion control and proprietary EndoWrist instrumentation enhance ambidexterity for precision and control beyond the capabilities