September 19,2019 3:40 a.m.
CHI Mercy Health in partnership with DaVinci Surgical will host a surgical robot at the Roseburg Public Library this Saturday September 21st.
A release from Mercy said along with an opportunity to test out the robot, the event from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will feature a number of kid-friendly activities including a Name the Robot contest, a coloring contest, touch, see and play activities, robotic literature and snacks.
Randy Hubbard, Mercy’s surgical services manager said Mercy’s surgical teams are excited to have kids in the community be able to help name the robot. Hubbard is hoping for a great turnout, especially with kids who are already members of robotics clubs at schools.
Roseburg surgeon Dr. Brent Soder said when it comes to surgery, the robot never acts on its own. He said the surgeon “directs all the robot’s hand movements using a state-of-the-art interface system”. He said the robot can only do what the surgeon directs it to do, including mimicking the hand movements doctors do outside the body on the interface system.
The release said because surgeries performed using the robot allow a surgeon to make small cuts versus making longer, open incisions, recovery time is dramatically shortened and patients can return to an active lifestyle much more quickly. Other benefits include reduced trauma to the body, reduced blood loss and need for transfusions, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection and less scarring.
For more information on the event visit the Mercy Medical Facebook page.