- We believe that the da Vinci system is a forerunner
of how a majority of complex surgeries will be done
over the coming decade or two, at least
in the developed economies.
With aging populations, the market size will grow
faster than the population.
As new entrants go after this opportunity
prices are bound to drop significantly.
The da Vinci Surgical System is the world's most advanced
robotic system for minimally-invasive surgeries.
The da Vinci system is particularly well-suited
for surgeries that require a very high degree
of precision, dexterity, and control.
In a sense, this robotic system expands
the surgeon's capabilities.
There are benefits for the patient too who undergoes
only a one to two-centimeter-long incision resulting
in much less trauma, much faster healing, and shorter
hospital stays as compared with open surgeries.
These benefits come with very high upfront investment
by the hospital.
Each da Vinci system costs over two million dollars.
There are also sizeable annual maintenance fees.
It also requires significant training for the surgeon
in terms of how to use the system.
As a result, such systems are economically viable
primarily for those centers that perform a large
number of surgeries each year.
The system is used for a wide range of surgeries
including cardiac, urologic, gynecologic, pediatric,
as well as general surgery.
Estimates suggest that three-quarters of all prostate
cancer surgeries in the United States currently use
da Vinci robots.
Let's look at some details of how the da Vinci system works.
The most popular model, da Vinci SI, consists
of two separate but connected sections.
One section is a robotic tower with four arms.
Three of these hold various surgical instruments.
The fourth one holds 3D high-definition cameras.
The second section is a console where the surgeon
sits and operates the robot's arms while looking through
two stereoscopic monitors.
Additional video screens enable other members
of the surgical team to observe what the surgeon sees.
In manipulating the robot's arms, the console permits
the surgeon to exercise fingertip-level precision
over the surgical instruments.