Less pain, less blood loss, less infections, and less scarring
BY LAUREN KATE ROSENBLUM
Young boy tries out the da Vinci machine himself, picking up coins, paperclips and a rubber band on a table a few yards away
Children from local schools descended on Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern for the results to a naming contest for the new da Vinci Si- Surgical System, a revolutionary robot that dramatically reduces risks associated with traditional surgery techniques. Excited children were given the opportunity to come up with a new name for the robot and then play on the $1.75 million machine themselves.
The technology used in the da Vinci Si was first brought to market in the late 1990s through the military. It has since been refined. The robot at Good Samaritan Hospital is of the third generation. It is easier to use and set up than previous models.
The machine itself, which debuted its first procedure at Good Samaritan last March, looks like what many would expect a traditional laparoscopic surgery machine to look like. The difference according to Dr. Michele Batista is that the machines are “wristed, where as traditional laparoscopic machines are straight.” This means that when controlling the arms of the machine, they actually have an extra plane of movement that is similar to a human wrist. This allows for quicker and more precise surgeries. You can even suture wounds with the machine.
The hands of the machine are even more precise than human hands, but cannot act without human control
Dr. Batista went through heavy training to operate the machine, which she started using in early May for a variety of procedures. The machine can currently be used for many different types of surgery such as a prostatectomy, hysterectomy, ovarian cystectomy, myomectomy, coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and colorectal surgery to name a few.
When you look into the machine’s screen, it projects a crystal clear, up to 10X, 3D like image of what is under the small hands that make the machine so useful. The exacting controls, which use only the index finger and thumb to operate, are truly an extension of the human hand. The dexterity of the machine matches that of the hand, however it removes common human flaws such as shakiness. Its tiny stick-like hands are able to perform surgery in a ways that are minimally invasive with maximum effectiveness.
Winner Sydney Jasinski is presented with trophy for her idea to name the machine "Lesslie”
Students from local schools around the area submitted ideas on what would be a great name for the new machine. The winner was Sydney Jasinski with the name “Lesslie.” Sydney said she picked the name because, “it would be less time in the hospital, less infection, less scarring and less blood loss.” It only took the 7-year-old second grader at St. Augustine School in New City a few minutes to devise this perfect name.
Good Samaritan Hospital hopes that by allowing the children to come in and play with a machine like this, it will inspire them to do things like contribute to technology. It may also give children their first look into a career in the medical field. No matter what the children decide to do, they will likely never forget the amazing capabilities of Lesslie.
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