This Robot has been Helping Surgeons for Years
- Nisreen Dalal
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
Recently, NYC Health + Hospitals celebrated its 10th year of performing robotic surgery. With the help of the da Vinci robot, they have performed over 20,000 procedures. The NYC Health + Hospitals system has 19 of these robots that they use to help with minimally invasive procedures.
What is the da Vinci Robot?
The da Vinci robot moves through the surgeon's instructions. It uses an endoscopic camera, which can help the surgeon see the inside of the body. The robot also has multiple arms that hold instruments that are precise enough to fit in smaller incisions. It is used for many different procedures, including tonsillectomy, gallbladder removal, and hysterectomy. The da Vinci robot is a versatile tool and can be used for different parts of the body, not just one. Some benefits of the da Vinci robot for the patient include less scarring, risk of infection, and pain. More precision and better results are also some of the advantages for the patient.
Parts
The da Vinci robot contains three main parts that allow a surgeon to perform surgery.
One of those parts is the patient cart. It remains next to the patient while the surgery happens. This is the part that holds the robotic arms and other tools. The camera is held by the patient cart, which allows the surgeon to see a high-definition 3D view.
The surgeon console is the part that allows the surgeon to view the part where they are performing surgery. It is the part that helps them direct the robotic arms.
The final part is the vision cart, which contains all the technology that helps the da Vinci robot perform. It has another screen for viewing for other operating staff to view. This part also helps the various parts of the da Vinci robot to communicate with each other.
New Updates
Intuitive, the company behind the da Vinci robot, is releasing new updates. One new update is an additional camera that allows remote doctors to view the operating room. They will also add six new exercises for training surgeons. New measuring tools and tool ejection through the surgeon's command are also going to be added this year.
Conclusion
The da Vinci robot has been used over 10 million times in surgery and has become a common tool used for surgery. It is an example of how surgery is constantly evolving and becoming more precise.
Resources
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, May 24). da Vinci Surgery: Treatment & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16908-da-vinci-surgery
da Vinci 5 Gets New Features as Robotic Surgery Market Heats Up. (2026). Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry. https://www.mddionline.com/robotics/let-me-upgrade-you-intuitive-unleashes-new-features-for-da-vinci-amid-growing-competition
How the Da Vinci System Works: A Look Inside the Operating Room. (2025, August 11). Trinity Health System. https://www.stmaryshealthcaresystem.org/blog-articles/how-da-vinci-system-works-look-inside-operating-room
NYC Health + Hospitals marks 10 years of robotic surgery, completing over 20,000 procedures. NYC Health + Hospitals. (2026, May 21). https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/pressrelease/nyc-health-hospitals-marks-10-years-of-robotic-surgery-completing-over-20000-procedures/
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