What is the da Vinci robot?
The da Vinci robot is commonly used to perform prostatectomies, or removal of the prostate gland, in the case of prostate cancer. It is perhaps the most famous robotic surgery apparatus in the world, as it was the first robotic system allowed in operating rooms in the year 2000 for laparoscopic procedures. It falls under the category of telesurgical devices, meaning a human directs the motions of the robot. The technology allows the surgeon to get closer to the surgical site than human vision will allow. The da Vinci system contains three parts: a surgeon’s console, a patient-side robotic cart with four arms manipulated by the surgeon; one to control the camera, and three to manipulate the instruments, and a high-definition 3D vision system.
