Last month, Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) announced the acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The Xi is the fourth and latest generation of the da Vinci system, a tool that utilizes advanced robotic, computer and optical technologies to assist the surgeon during an operation.

The system can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for surgeries in the areas of urology, gynecology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery. MRMC will first use the da Vinci Xi Surgical System for urological cases with other specialties to be determined. Urologist John Coursey, MD, who recently joined the medical staff, will be the first to utilize this technology, conducting procedures that include prostatectomy, complete or partial nephrectomy, sacrocolpopexy and pyeloplasty.

The system has a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system, special instruments and computer software that allow the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. The system's immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient. Key features include:

• A new overhead instrument arm architecture designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position;
• A new endoscope digital architecture that creates a simpler, more compact design with improved vision definition and clarity;
• An ability to attach the endoscope to any arm, providing flexibility for visualizing the surgical site;
• Smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than ever before; and
• Longer instrument shafts designed to give surgeons greater operative reach.