Fluorescence imaging vision system in robotic assisted surgery receives expanded clearance

Intuitive Surgical has received FDA 510(k) clearance for expanded use of its da Vinci Fluorescence Imaging Vision System (Firefly) in gallbladder surgery.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system which enables surgeons to perform complex surgeries with a minimally invasive approach. It consists of several key components, including an ergonomically-designed console, a patient-side cart, four robotic arms, and proprietary EndoWrist instruments, which are designed to provide surgeons with natural dexterity and full range of motion for precise operation through tiny incisions, according to the press release.

In addition, the system includes an HD 3D vision system, which consists of a 3D endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip—and image processing equipment that provides images of the patient’s anatomy. A view of the operating field is available to the entire operating room team on a large viewing monitor called the vision cart. With the Firefly vision system, surgeons are able to use a special video camera and glowing dye to view blood flowing in vessels and tissue during minimally invasive surgical procedures. When surgeons use the camera, blood appears green and tissue without blood flow appears gray.

Firefly imaging will not only provide a view of the blood flow through vessels and tissue, but it will also include real-time imaging of bile ducts. Injuries to the common bile duct represent a serious and challenging surgical complication, and most often occur during laparoscopic gallbladder removal, according Intuitive Surgical. These incidents occur when the common bile duct is mistaken for the cystic duct, resulting in in clipping and division of the common duct, which is then resected with the gallbladder, and as such, it is beneficial in surgeries like this to have the ability to properly identify the biliary duct.

View the Intuitive Surgical press release.
View more information on the da Vinci Surgical System.

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