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B.C. hospital debuts 4-armed surgical robot
:: 01 October, 2007
The look is science fiction, but this robot is no evil Hal.
Vancouver General Hospital unveiled a four-armed surgical robot yesterday that, unlike the infamous computer Hal from the sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, will be a best friend for hundreds of B.C. patients.
Nicknamed "Jack" after a $3-million gift from prominent Vancouver businessman and prostate cancer survivor Jack Poole, the da Vinci high definition surgical device is part of a $6.5-million project spearheaded by the VGH and University of British Columbia Hospital Foundation, as well as Vancouver Coastal Health.
The device includes three arms with surgical tools and another with a miniature camera to give the surgical team a true, three-dimensional view of the patient.
Previously, physicians had relied on either opening a large slice in the body, or keyhole surgery in which only a tiny incision is possible, consequently limiting the range and scope of instrument movement in the body.
Initially, a three-year pilot project expected to help treat 600 patients, the new device will be used by the hospital's urology, cardiology and gynecology sections. Procedures to be included in the trial are the removal of the entire prostate gland for cancer victims, hysterectomies and certain heart valve repairs.
Dr. Larry Goldenberg, co-director of VGH's Prostate Centre, said besides the obvious immediate benefits, VGH hopes for bigger long-term success in terms of research, as well as so-called "distance surgery."
The latter is where a "Jack" expert in a big city hospital can use a computer hook up to help a surgeon in a smaller centre to safely make full use of the life-saving device.
Release link: http://www.canwestglobal.com/home.html
Tags: e-saving device , surgical robot , sci-fi classic , surgical tools , surgical team , physicians , hospital's urology , cardiology and gynecology ,
