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Robot Demonstration At Grand Rapids Public Museum
The da Vinci Surgical System Robot was on display at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
Christine VanTimmeren FOX 17 News Reporter
GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Public Museum hosted a piece of medical
history this weekend. With support from Saint Mary's Health Care and
Intuitive Surgical, the da Vinci Surgical robot was available for some
hands on experience.
The robot, which is made up of four arms and a control console is being
used in hospitals all across the United States for surgeries like
hysterectomies and cancer removal.
Officials decided to bring the large robot to the museum as a part of
their hands-on exhibit " Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion". The
robot was actually modeled after one of da Vinci's concepts. To read more click here.
Kids take turn at controls of $1.5 million da Vinci
Surgical System robot
By Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press
December 12, 2009, 2:28PM
GRAND RAPIDS --A $1.5 million robot can help save lives -- and be pretty fun at the same time.
That was what Mark Hillary, 9, figured out Saturday during a one-day-only, hands-on exhibit of the sophisticated da Vinci Surgical System robot at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
"It was really, really cool," said Mark, who was celebrating his birthday with a party at the museum. "I liked that you could operate the arms using the little tools."
Nancy Hillary, the youngster's mom, was equally impressed. "To see the precision, it is truly amazing."
The demonstration machine was brought in by the robot's manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical Inc., in conjunction with the museum's Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion exhibit, which runs through Jan. 3.
Like the models of Leonardo da Vinci's machines on display nearby, the robot is an inspiration, said Dr. Paul Rodriguez, of Urology Associates in Grand Rapids.
"I think it spurs their imagination and shows you what can be possible," said Rodriguez, one of several people from Saint Mary's Health Care on hand to explain the machine and answer questions about the equipment that, in some ways, operates like a sophisticated video game. To read more click here.
Saint Mary’s Becomes Only Hospital Within
150 Miles With Two Robots
01/06/09
The overwhelming success and high demand of the first da Vinci Surgical System at Saint Mary’s Health Care mandated the purchase of a second robot, advancing the minimally invasive movement at Saint Mary’s. With an 85 percent utilization rate of the first robot, surgeons and staff at Saint Mary’s have performed nearly 400 operations with robotic assistance from April 2007 through August 2008 and lead the country in some categories of usage.
A second robot will enable Saint Mary’s to meet growing requests, greatly reducing the surgical wait time. A shorter wait time results in increased physician and patient satisfaction and improved outcomes.
Through the purchase of the second da Vinci Surgical System, Saint Mary’s Health Care further promotes its minimally invasive movement. As the only center within 150-200 miles with two robots, we are allowed to perform more surgeries and to advance our robotic proficiency.
Kevin Brader, MD, gynecologic oncologist, exemplifies our expertise, as he is now one of the top surgeons in the country in his use of the daVinci for gynecologic-oncology cases, having performed nearly 300 operations to date using the da Vinci robot.
Treating the prostate is another area of excellence for Saint Mary’s, as we perform more surgeries on the prostate with the robot than any other hospital in town, thanks to such experts as John Lobo, MD and Paul Rodriguez, MD.
Saint Mary’s obstetricians, Sejal Patel Bennett, MD, and Kirsten Anderson, MD, are trained in and remove benign cysts with robotic assistance. They also are certified in robotic total laparoscopic hysterectomies, laparoscopic supra-cervical hysterectomies and other gynecological surgeries for benign conditions.
Jason Bennett, MD, from Grand Rapids Women’s Health, is performing sacrocolpolexys, which is the robotic treatment for prolapse of any pelvic floor organs, such as the vagina, uterus, bladder or rectum. Michael Bennett, MD, from Grand Rapids Women’s Health is also performing many robotic surgeries, including hysterectomies and abdomenal sacrocolpopexies at Saint Mary's.
With the recent certification of Bruce Shabahang, MD, thoracic surgeon, thoracic surgery with assistance from the da Vinci Surgical System will soon be performed at Saint Mary’s. Shabahang is the one of only several thoracic surgeons certified for da Vinci in the state, and approximately one of 50 in the nation.
Minimally invasive thoracic procedures at Saint Mary’s include lung resection, esophageal resection, resection of mediastinal and chest wall masses, mediastinal lymph node dissection and biopsies, lung biopsies and pleural procedures.
Saint Mary’s Health Care Announces Major
Donation for new Surgery Center
February 2007
Grand Rapids, MI. Saint Mary’s Health Care has received a major donation for the establishment of a Center for Advanced Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Saint Mary’s President and CEO Phil McCorkle announced today.
“We are so pleased to announce that Tom and Mickie Fox and their family have made a contribution of $1 million to establish the Tom and Mickie Fox and Family Center for Advanced Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery. This is the wave of the future in surgical procedures because minimally invasive surgery means smaller incisions, significant reduction in risk of infection, faster healing, and shorter hospital stays, and less dependence on pain relieving drugs. This is a very attractive option for patients.”
Minimally invasive surgical techniques sometimes require the use of a robot, such as the da Vinci, which is currently being utilized for prostate surgery at Saint Mary’s. Though it has been primarily used in Grand Rapids for urological surgery, the da Vinci robot also has applications for thoracic and gynecological surgery. “The possibilities for new applications in minimally invasive and robotic surgery are very promising. This significant gift from the Fox family will open up the opportunity for physicians to be trained on the da Vinci and other robotic devices for surgery that is currently not available in Grand Rapids,” continued McCorkle.
“We are so happy to be able to give back to the community that has given so much to our family,” commented Tom Fox. “It is a joy to know that our gift will help so many people.”
Timothy Fitzgerald, MD, medical director of surgical oncology at The Lacks Cancer Center, states, “This generous gift from the Fox family will allow us to strengthen our commitment to minimally invasive surgery. We have been a leader in minimally invasive surgery for years; because of the donation from the Fox family, we will now be able to advance our efforts to the next level. This also allows us to advance the possibilities of other applications, such as thoracic surgery, and will enable us to help many more patients.”
The Tom and Mickie Fox and Family Center for Advanced Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery will be located in Saint Mary’s main hospital building in a specially designed surgical suite, “until we grow beyond the need for one suite,” continued Fitzgerald.