06-11-2011 12:27

Chris is me

Re: pic: Gus Student Piloting Da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

Way cool!

My dad has bounced around lots of different kinds of surgical specialties over the years, and telling me about his time playing with surgical robots was one of the things that pushed me toward FIRST and engineering in the first place. I'm glad your team got crazy cool hands on experience with this robot. Inspiring stuff.

06-11-2011 12:36

davepowers

Re: pic: Gus Student Piloting Da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

This was defiantly an awesome and inspiring tour. Being able to actually get to use both machines was an experience I will never forget. Thanks to all the awesome people over at Uconn Medical Center!

-Dave

06-11-2011 14:31

JaneYoung

Re: pic: Gus Student Piloting Da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

When I first heard of, and joined up with, the FIRST adventure, this was one of the visions I had - opportunities like this for young people. I love this.

Congratulations to the staff at the UConn Medical Center and the representative from Intuitive Surgical makers of the Da Vinci Si for making this possible and to the awesome team, GUS! Wow.

Jane

10-11-2011 10:39

skimoose

Re: pic: Gus Student Piloting Da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

We learned a few interesting things on the Da Vinci. The camera system is so good at reproducing 3D depth perception, that operators quickly think there is feedback on the controls. There is no haptic feedback on the controls, but operators "think" there is.

The controls can also be programmed to filter out operator tremors. This will allow skilled surgeons to continue safely practicing medicine as they age. It takes so long for doctors to hone their craft, especially surgeons, extending their careers through robotics will benefit patients allowing them access to the most skilled experts who have mastered procedures.

What was most inspiring for me, was that this opportunity came looking for the team, not the other way round.

One of the UConn staff members was a graduate from one of our schools back in 1992 long before the team existed. He had read, with interest, articles on the team and he sought us out to offer the tour.

This is some of that culture change that Dean has been striving for.

Maybe we'll get another chance to take Da Vinci for a spin. At a recent demonstration we met a someone from another local hospital. He said their robotic surgical unit was better than UConn's (they have seven Da Vincis), and he'd be happy to show us why. Soon we might be graduating more future surgeons than engineers.

10-11-2011 11:35

JaneYoung

Re: pic: Gus Student Piloting Da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

I wondered about that.

Alumni can do amazing things, including creating connections for opportunities like this. The school alumnus who created this opportunity must have been thrilled to be able to see the establishment and development of your team, follow it, and then seek your team out for the tour.

That is true treasure of discovery, connections, and relevance.

Very cool,
Jane