Robotic Stapler Ensures More Consistent Placement

A new single-patient 60mm stapler designed for the da Vinci robotic surgical system offers 120 degrees of fully wristed articulation.

The Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) SureForm 60 fully wristed, 60mm robotic stapler designed to guarantee a more consistent staple line in a wide variety of general surgical, thoracic, gynecologic, urologic, and pediatric indications, helping to prevent tissue damage over a range of tissue thicknesses. SureForm 60 is compatible with the da Vinci Xi and X surgical systems, and extends the da Vinci stapling portfolio so as to cover all required staple line lengths, which already includes 30 and 45mm EndoWrist staplers.

The 120 degrees cone of articulation provides the surgeon with precise positioning, gripping, clamping, and firing, all completely controlled through the da Vinci Surgeon Console. The SureForm 60 stapler also uses integrated SmartFire technology, a special software module that optimizes stapler, staple line, and tissue buttressing performance. SmartFire works by measuring tissue compression both before and during staple firing, with more than 1,000 measurements per second taken so as to fully automate the firing process.

“Intuitive continues our minimally invasive innovation with our 60mm stapler, rooted in extensive research and development and an understanding of surgeons’ needs,” said Sal Brogna, chief operating officer of Intuitive Surgical.

The da Vinci surgical systems consist of an ergonomic surgeon console or consoles, a patient-side cart with three or four interactive arms, high-performance vision system, and proprietary surgical endoscopic instruments that include rigid endoscopes, blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, scalpels, forceps, pick-ups, needle holders, and endoscopic retractors. Other accessories include devices for endoscopic tissue manipulation, including grasping, cutting, dissection, approximation, ligation, suturing, and delivery and placement of microwave and cryogenic ablation probes and accessories.