Surgical robots: the 3 revolutionary surgical systems used today (Da Vinci, Hugo, Versius)

With the introduction of surgical robots, the surgery field has evolved considerably in the past few decades alone.

In this article we’ll take a look at the improvements provided by the development of surgical robots, diving deep into the capabilities of the best models.

The revolution of robotic surgery

By fusing advanced robotics and surgical techniques together, the revolution provided by robotic surgery has allowed surgeons to perform intricate operations with unparalleled precision and control.

The use of robotic systems allows for minimally invasive procedures, resulting in reduced trauma, shorter recovery times, and a decreased risk of complications for patients.

The surgical robots are often made of multiple robotic arms. Surgeons can manipulate these arms to access anatomical structures with great accuracy and delicacy. Robotic surgery thus offers enhanced visualization capabilities, providing surgeons with detailed, magnified views of the surgical site in real-time.

As a result, some procedures that were once deemed too complex or risky have become feasible, thus expanding the scope of what is achievable in the realm of surgery. Overall, robotic surgery stands as a testament to the power of technology to revolutionize healthcare, promising improved outcomes and enhanced patient care.

The Da Vinci surgical robot: the history

The Da Vinci surgical robot (or surgical system) was developed by Intuitive Surgical. It has a rich history marked by technological innovations and medical advancement.

Work and research for an advanced surgical robot as the Da Vinci can be traced back to the late 20th century, when robotic-assisted surgery began to emerge as a concept.

The Da Vinci robot: the prototypes

The first prototype of the Da Vinci robot was developed by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI International) in the 80s. Its original purposes were military-related. However, the project shifted its focus to medical applications, and in 1999, the Da Vinci Surgical System started being used for medical purposes after obtaining FDA clearance.

The early versions of the Da Vinci surgical robot consisted of robotic arms controlled by a surgeon from a console several feet away from the patient. These arms held surgical instruments and a camera, providing a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site. This setup allowed for minimally invasive surgery, where small incisions are made, reducing patient trauma and recovery time, compared to traditional open surgery.

Over the years, the Da Vinci System underwent numerous improvements, including a more advantaged surgical instrument design, an enhanced visualization technology, and the addition of software upgrades aimed at improving ergonomics and precision.

These advancements expanded the system’s capabilities, enabling surgeons to perform increasingly complex operations across various surgical specialties, including urology.

The Da Vinci robot today

Despite initial skepticism and concerns about the cost and learning curve associated with the da Vinci system, it has gained widespread acceptance and purpose in the medical community.

Thousand of Da Vinci Systems are now installed in hospitals all around the world, and so far millions of surgical procedures have been performed using this technology. The Da Vinci robot system has become a symbol of robotic-assisted surgery, representing a transformative tool that continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in modern surgical practices.

The Da Vinci robot, how does it work

So far we’ve taken a look at the history of the Da Vinci surgical robot, now let’s take a look at how it actually works.

The Da Vinci is made of several different parts, let’s see all of them in detail.

Console. The surgeon sits at a console, which is typically a few feet away from the operating table, with a 3D high-definition display and hand a foot controls. The surgeon can control the robotic arms through the console, and by doing that he has control over the instruments attached to them as well.
Robotic arms. The Da Vinci System consists of several robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments and a camera. The arms are positioned near the patient and, as already mentioned, are controlled by the surgeon through the console. The number of robotic arms can vary depending on the Da Vinci model, usually there are three-four.
Instruments. The robotic arms hold surgical instruments that mimic the movements of the surgeon’s hands. However, they have enhanced precision and a better motion range. These instruments can perform various tasks, such as cutting and suturing, with greater dexterity than human hands.
Camera. One of the robotic arms is equipped with a high definition camera that provides a magnified 3D view of the surgical site. This allows the surgeon to see detailed images in real-time, providing enhanced visualization during the procedure.
Controls. The surgeon manipulates the robotic arms and instruments using hand and foot controls at the console. The movements made by the surgeon translate into precise movements by the robotic arms, allowing for precise and delicate maneuvers within the patient’s body.
Software. The Da Vinci System includes sophisticated software that helps optimize the surgeon’s movements and filter out tremors, ensuring precise control over the surgical instruments.

The history of the Hugo robot

Another important surgical robot used for urological operations is the Hugo robot.

It was developed by Medtronic, a global leader in the field of medical technology. It was actually the company’s first step into the robotic-assisted surgery field.

Hugo was developed with the aim of creating a next-generation surgical robot that could improve patient outcomes and enhance the capabilities of the surgeons. Medtronic recognized the growing demand for minimally invasive surgical techniques, and so focused its expertise in medical devices and surgical technology to design the Hugo robot, with the needs of both the surgeons and the patients in mind.

One of the key milestones in the history of the Hugo robot was its regulatory approval. In 2023, Medtronic received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Hugo for specific minimally invasive surgical procedures. This marked a significant achievement for the company and paved the way for Hugo to be used in clinical settings.

The Hugo RAS system today

Since its introduction, this surgical robot has been adopted by hospitals and surgical centers around the world. Surgeons have praised its intuitive interface, ergonomic design, and advanced capabilities, which enable it to perform a wide range of procedures with high precision.

The development of Hugo represents a major investment by Medtronic in the surgical field. The company continues to refine and improve the robot, with the goal of expanding its capabilities and making it accessible to more patients and surgeons.

The Hugo robot: the key features

Hugo is composed of an open surgical console with an HD-3D display, a system tower and 4 arms carts. The robotic arms can be controlled independently from one another, and they are extendible thanks to their 6 different joints. They can also be raised or lowered on the cart column for vertical positioning. The robotic arms are designed to be hooked up to the trocar, and the instruments installed are driven by a dedicated motor called the instrument drive unit.

The history of the Versius robot

The Versius surgical robot is a relatively recent innovation in the field of surgical robotics. It was developed by CMR Surgical, a UK-based company.

CMR Surgical was founded in 2014 with the aim of making minimal access surgery accessible to more patients globally. The company thus wanted to create a versatile, cost-effective, and easy to use surgical robot. The company thus embarked on an extensive research and development phase to create the Versius Surgical robot. This involved designing and refining the robot’s hardware, software, and user interface to meet the needs of surgeons and patients.

CMR Surgical conducted clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Versius system in various surgical specialties. The company sought regulatory approvals from healthcare authorities in different countries to market the robot for clinical use.

After obtaining the regulatory approval, CMR Surgical commercialized the Versius surgical robot and launched it for clinical use. The robot became available to hospitals and surgical centers, allowing surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision and efficiency.

The company collaborated with healthcare providers to integrate the robot into surgical workflows and train surgeons in its use. Versius gained traction in various surgical specialties, including urology, gynecology, general surgery, and colorectal surgery.

The Versius robot today

CMR Surgical keeps investing in research and development to enhance the Versius surgical robot’s capabilities and address feedback from users. The company aims to improve the robot’s performance, versatility, and ease of use to further benefit both surgeons and patients.

The key features of the Versius robot

The key features of the Versius robot include:

Modular design: this surgical robot features a modular design that allows for easy setup and adaptation to different surgical environments.
Robotic arms: the system includes multiple robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments. The arms are designed to mimic the surgeon hands’ movements with high precision and dexterity.
Teleoperation: the surgeon controls the robotic arms from a console located within the operating room. The console provides a 3D view of the surgical site and allows the surgeon to manipulate the instruments with accuracy.
High-Definition imaging: the robot is equipped with high-definition cameras that provide a clear, magnified view of the surgical site. This enables surgeons to perform procedures with enhanced visualization.
Versatility: Versius is designed to support a wide range of minimally invasive surgical procedures across different specialties.
Patient benefits: the use of Versius in minimally invasive surgery can lead to several potential benefits for patients, including shorter hospital stays, reduced pain and scarring, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
Safety features; this surgical robot includes various safety features to ensure patient safety during surgery. These may include collision detection and avoidance systems, as well as emergency stop buttons.

What the future of robotic surgery holds

In this article we explored the history and the features of three surgical systems used in the urology field: the Da Vinci robot, the Hugo RAS system and the Versius robot. But what does the future of robotic surgery hold?

According to experts, robotic surgery’s future holds exciting possibilities as technology continues to advance and the researchers and developers keep innovating in this field.

Robotics technology is expected to continue evolving, leading to even more sophisticated and capable surgical robots. This could include advancements in robotic arms, instrumentation, imaging systems,, and haptic feedback technology, enabling surgeons to perform even more complex procedures with greater precision.

Future surgical robots may become smaller, more portable, and easier to set up. This process, called miniaturization, could lead to robots designed for specific procedures or anatomical regions, further enhancing their versatility and usability.

Maybe AI will be integrated into the new robots. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into surgical robots could enable automation of specific tasks. It could provide real-time assistance to surgeons, enhancing decision-making and procedural outcomes.

But as robotic surgery will evolve and become more widespread, regulatory agencies will need to establish guidelines and standards to ensure patient safety and quality of care. Ethical considerations related to autonomy, liability, and informed consent will also require careful attention as the technology evolves.

Overall, the future of robotic surgery holds great promises for improving patient outcomes, expanding access to high-quality surgical care, and advancing the field of minimally invasive surgery. Continued collaboration between clinicians, engineers, researchers, and regulatory bodies will be essential to realize the full potential of robotic surgery in the years to come.

This revolution that started with the Da Vinci robot promises to go much further.

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