Florida Hospital 1st in nation to use new robotic surgery system

[TexasTowelie]

Florida Hospital is the first in the nation to buy a robotic system for minimally invasive surgeries in the abdomen that uses eye-tracking technology, allowing surgeons to control the laparoscopic camera with their eyes.

The announcement about the sale of the Senhance Surgical System caught investors’ attention earlier this week, because it’s the robot’s first commercial use in the United States, and it is the first robotic system to receive the U.S. government’s approval in the past two decades, since the now well-known da Vinci robot was approved.

“We haven’t thrown away our other robots, but we look at this as an absolutely new beginning in surgical robotics,” said Dr. Steve Eubanks, executive medical director of the Florida Hospital Institute for Surgical Advancement.

The robot has been in development for about a decade and became commercially available in several countries in Europe and Asia late last year. The company has sold fewer than 10 robots overseas so far, officials said.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-florida-hospital-transenterix-robotic-surgery-20171114-story.html

[Docreed2003]

1. Its a fascinating concept

I say this with full disclosure that I am a da Vinci robotic surgeon and have a ton of experience with that particular system, so take what I’m about to say as you will.

The idea of an eye tracking camera is freaking fascinating. However, that alone will not justify this new systems use in hospitals nationwide. Here’s why: a). The system is massively more expensive than the da Vinci b). This system in its current form seems more of a shined up prototype than ready for prime time. The system itself is huge and many ORs would not be able to fit it into their rooms without modifications.

That being said, I applaud the innovations and I hope this spurs even more innovations in the future

-Your friendly neighborhood surgeon

[KT2000]

2. question here -

what is the real advantage? Does it relieve the surgeon from directing the camera with a hand?

[Docreed2003]

4. Thats part of the advantage, yes

With the da Vinci system, to move the camera arm the surgeon must depress a foot pedal and then move their hands to where they want the camera to go. This system removes that step. The other advantage touted by this comoany’s system is that it gives a degree of “haptic feedback” that the da Vinci does not. Personally, I’ve never had an issue with not having haptic sensation on the da Vinci, you just watch the screen to see how much tension you’re putting on tissue.

[KT2000]

5. Thanks -

it is all amazing! Every time I hear about new technology using eyes to control, I worry about distraction as the eyes would be the first to respond.
Thanks for your explanation.

[SeattleVet]

3. Great...

I get the feeling that soon we will be seeing headlines that start with "Florida robot..." instead of "Florida man..."