Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center invited local STEM students from Van Nuys High School to try out its latest surgical robot known as the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. In order to inspire interest in the medical field, NHMC provided the students with the opportunity to speak with physicians, learn about the new technology and try their hand at the surgical robot.
This advanced surgical robot allows for improved accuracy, efficiency and range of motion for surgeons, particularly for complex procedures. The da Vinci system translates a surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. The tiny wristed instruments move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The da Vinci vision system also delivers highly magnified, 3D high-definition views of the surgical area. The instrument size makes it possible for surgeons to operate through one or a few small incisions.
The students operated the robot under the direction of Paul Watkins, Northridge Hospital President and Dr. Uthaiah Kokkalera, Northridge Hospital general surgeon.
