NEWPORT – After a year of fundraising and preparation, Newport Hospital has implemented a new robotic-assisted surgical system into its portfolio.
Known as the da Vinci 5, the platform translates a surgeon’s hand movements to robotic arms that perform minimally invasive procedures inside the body.
The hospital reports it is the first in Rhode Island to use da Vinci 5, a system created by Intuitive Surgical Inc., a publicly traded California-based medical technology company.
“This technology enhances the tools available to our surgeons and strengthens our ability to offer advanced minimally invasive surgical options in a convenient community hospital setting,” Dr. James D. Valente, Newport Hospital’s medical director and chair of surgery, said in the facility’s Sept. 22 announcement.
The da Vinci 5 platform is used for procedures in urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery and general surgery, according to the release, with the surgeon continuously in control of the robot arms and their movements. The system offers an ergonomic design with wristed instruments, 3D visualization and intuitive motion.
The platform was funded fully through donor contributions. The da Vinci 5 robots can cost up to $2.5 million, according to the American College of Surgeons.
“This milestone for Newport Hospital would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our donor community,” said Dr. Tenny Thomas, president and chief medical officer of Newport Hospital. “Their support allows us to continue investing in innovative technology that strengthens the care available to our patients and community. We are deeply grateful to every donor and member of our team who helped bring this advanced surgical system to Newport.”
A member of Providence-based Brown University Health, Newport Hospital is a 129-bed acute care hospital offering emergency and intensive care, surgical services, an inpatient behavioral health unit and a women’s health practice.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a PBN staff writer. She can be reached at kannermascolo@pbn.com.
