New robotic surgery system to replace VGH's retiring 'Jack'
The $4 million system will feature a teaching console, 3D camera, and bedside cart with robotic arms
Vancouver General Hospital is getting a new $4 million robot-assisted surgery system to conduct minimally invasive surgeries, which it says help speed patient recovery times.
The new system will replace the hospital's current robot system, nicknamed "Jack." It's retiring after 10 years and more than 1,000 surgeries.
Dr. Peter Black demonstrating how to use VGH's "Jack", the robotic surgical system, before it's replaced <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc">@cbcnewsbc</a> <a href="https://t.co/LpLfvAgaEB">pic.twitter.com/LpLfvAgaEB</a>
—@CoryCorreiaThe new surgical system will feature a teaching console, 3D camera, and a bedside cart with four robotic arms.
One of the arms is used to position the camera, while others handle the surgical instruments, which are controlled by a surgeon making hand and foot movements at a console.
"There is no question that the patient experience with surgery is enhanced with the robot," said Dr. Peter Black, senior research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
"There's less blood loss, it's less invasive, there's less pain, and there's a quicker recovery."
Black said the robotic technology can be used for prostate surgery, cardiovascular bypasses and hysterectomies.
Vancouver Coastal Health is purchasing the $4 million system with help from private donations. It received a gift of $1 million from Hollyburn Properties and the Sander family.
The same group also donated another $1 million to upgrade the hospital's MRI machine.
"Canada has been very good to me, and it's time for me to pay back," said Stephen Sander, who immigrated to Canada 60 years ago from India.
The new robotic system is expected to be in place by the end of 2017.