BROWNSVILLE, Texas – DHR Health Brownsville invited the public to view the new state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgical system.
Students from Brownsville who want to work in the health field were also invited and were able to practice on the new devices with the support of Brianna Alvarado, a clinical sales representative for Intuitive, the manufacturer of the da Vinci robot.
Doctors were also on site to demonstrate the use of the system in operations to interested parties. The device was set up in the reception area of the hospital.
Dr. Karen Brooks, chief of general surgery at DHR Health Brownsville, said the new system aims to increase surgeon precision and improve patient outcomes.
With the da Vinci 5, Brooks says, surgeons retain full control because the robotic system translates their hand movements into precise handling of tiny instruments.
The advanced technology is designed to support a variety of minimally invasive procedures, including general surgery, urology, gynecology and bariatric surgery.
According to Brooks, the benefits of the surgical system include less trauma to the body, shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, less postoperative pain and discomfort, a lower risk of infection and less scarring.
Alvarado said the da Vinci 5 system features handheld instruments, 3D HD visualization, intuitive movement and ergonomic design.
She pointed out that the surgeon has complete control over the system, which translates his hand movements into smaller, more precise movements using tiny instruments inside the patient’s body.
Improvements to the da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system include:
• New force feedback technology to reduce impact on tissue
• Optimized vision with improved color accuracy, higher image resolution and more realistic 3D imaging
• Improved design for surgeon comfort and viewing of surgery
• Over 10,000 times more computing power than its predecessor
DHR Health Brownsville is the first and only hospital in the Rio Grande Valley to offer the da Vinci 5 system.
“We are proud to bring world-class technology and resources to the Lower Rio Grande Valley,” said Aida Coronado Garcia, executive vice president and chief operating officer of DHR Health Brownsville.
Editor’s Note: Here is a video interview with Dr. Karen Brooks:
Editor’s Note: Here is a video interview with Brianna Alvarado:
