Would You Trust a Robot with your Spleen?

[grandmabetty78]

Anyone heard anything about this? Think it's just a gimmick?

[Nitro]

Anyone heard anything about this? Think it's just a gimmick?

Only if it's this one.......

[Rizzo]

I don't think its a robot. I don't even think it is automated. I believe all it is a monitor on wheels that lets a doctor in a central location control the vehicle and make rounds to patients so they can dispence medical advice through a microphone link...

[soleil9]

Sorry Rizzo, its a surgery tool. and no, not a gimmick. It's the future (no joke!)

Da Vinci System

From the site:

"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."

Basically, this machine/robot can stabilize a shaky hand when working in small delicate spaces, or can add extra strength when needed while still having a delicate touch.-- the site gives the example of overweight patients...

The Da Vinci Robot can allow surgeons to use minimally invasive techniques that were impossible with an unassisted hand. This is very cool and a great addition to our community!

[tringr]

Just keeping up with the Jones's. It does add a "big city" amenity to the list.

It helps surgeons perform MIS, minimally invasive surgery. Better for patients and provides quicker healing time. Costs $1.3 million and requires more training and takes longer to do operations.

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/02/26/ne...12000809919.txt

[snoogit]

Better put me out before you even bring in that machine, or im going to run out screaming like a baby when I see that thing

[Rizzo]

soleil9. why are you sorry?

[soleil9]

soleil9. why are you sorry?

Rizzo, I was just correcting you about an automated medicine dispensing robot... I guess I just felt like my future job security was threatened! For now, there will still be humans at your bedside (and in about 3.5 years, perhaps even me!)

[soleil9]

Grandma Betty,

Where did you hear about this, I've been googling, but haven't found the article/news story you are referring too. Can you post a link?

Thanks!

[Rizzo]

So maybe if your a general practice MD you could dispense some medical advice to a non-insured fellow UP-GRr? Thanks for the correction, no need to be sorry

[hood]

I seen one of these on the news when Sparrow got one a few mpnths ago, pretty cool.

[grandmabetty78]

Grandma Betty,

Where did you hear about this, I've been googling, but haven't found the article/news story you are referring too. Can you post a link?

Thanks!

I'm medically connected:) My Boy Love is a urogical surgery resident @ Metro. Apparently, he said that Spectrum sent out a press release about it on the 9th. Maybe you could look that up? And yes, I think it is a pretty cool toy. Looks like, and is referred to as: the elephants ass. Seriously:) Not really sure how it's much better than doing things laproscopically however, but, hey, it's the future!! Onward and Upward GR.

[PBJ]

Being the nerd I am, I watch a lot of Discover (Health, Regular, Wings, Military etc) along with TLC, Animal Planet and History Chans.... That being said, I saw on one of those the same sort of thing that they use in other countries (Europe someplace I believe) that does open heart surgery w/o the opening/cracking the sternum. It created 5 small holes at various locations and little arms and cameras were controlled by the team of surgeons. There was some astronomicaly fast recovery times compared to the way we do things in this country.

Edit: When I saw it, they were awaiting FDA approval for this type of procedure. Heres some links:

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7146/1696/e

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/11/19/...bots/index.html

[snoogit]

I saw this machine on Discovery channel too, only in this case it was in canada, and it was abdominal surgery. Although Spectrum would be much more prestigious if it was on the surgical end, and not the robotic end of the table

[GR8-town]

Sorry Rizzo, its a surgery tool. and no, not a gimmick. It's the future (no joke!)

Da Vinci System

From the site:

"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."

Basically, this machine/robot can stabilize a shaky hand when working in small delicate spaces, or can add extra strength when needed while still having a delicate touch.-- the site gives the example of overweight patients...

The Da Vinci Robot can allow surgeons to use minimally invasive techniques that were impossible with an unassisted hand. This is very cool and a great addition to our community!

[snoogit]

This product will revolutionize surgery.

They will outsource the surgical talent to India.

Pay the surgeons over there 50k to operate on

us here and lower their cost.

Its called Globalization, and it will happen like it or not.

[allbusiness]

<Would You Trust a Robot with your Spleen?>

I thought this was a poll. I was all ready to vote!

[GR8-town]

The surgeons here don't get much more then 50K.

The Davinci robot, as I found out form the Saint Mary's article on the same doohickey being purchased there a few days ago isn't so much to have a surgeon in china operating on you in Grand Rapids, its for much less invasive and much more precise cuts during surgery. The surgeon wont be 5000 miles away, more likely he/she will be 5 feet away in another room

These things are great in rural hospitals who might not have access to the best surgeons and equipment, and in that case there might be an instance where a surgeon 500 miles away would operate on you. But these machines are also good for precise surgery a normal surgeon couldn't reproduce.

[snoogit]

"The surgeons here don't get much more then 50K."?

A year is what I was saying, Here they get 200-500K

[GR8-town]

even the new ones?

sure the well established ones, they will, but I don't think a surgeon outisde the US would be such a difference

[Budgie Frisket]

I think the question really is: Would I trust my spleen with a robot?

Answer: The robot doesn't stand a chance in hell. I've been venting my spleen for years, and it is wise in the ways of fending off unwelcome advances.

[beergeek]

Apparently, he said that Spectrum sent out a press release about it on the 9th. Maybe you could look that up?

[Budgie Frisket]

I envision a sort of spiritual treasure hunt with this Da Vinci robot. Leave clues on the liver... better open that rib cage carefully or it will self-destruct. I would love to meet this robot. My spleen, on the other hand, would prefer to leave obscure clues to befuddle Da robot.

[drinsema-sybenga]

Hackley in Muskegon got a daVinci robot last year, though I am not sure of the version number. I have friends who have used it and it supposedly cuts down on recovery time quite dramatically.

Link to Hackley DaVinci Webpage