Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) said it awarded 1-year equipment grants to 5 U.S. medical centers for robotic surgical training.
The grants will allow approximately 120 medical residents and researchers to practice their robotic surgical skills in minimally invasive procedures using the company’s da Vinci System console and skills simulator. Recipients include Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Massachusetts, Duke University, Oregon Health & Science University, University of Texas Southwestern and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
“Medical centers were selected based on the scientific merits of their proposals, their specialty’s relevance to robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, bibliographies, proof of prior work and intent to publish their surgery simulation results. The technology grant recipients were selected from the dozens of applications received,” Intuitive said in a statement.
“Simulation has become a critical component of surgical training,” Dr. Mary Anna Denman, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, said in prepared remarks. “This grant allows us to introduce training in the newest minimally invasive surgical technology broadly across all of our surgical residency and fellowship programs.”
In September, Intuitive Surgical won FDA clearance for a new robotic “wrist” to be used with its da Vinci Si System in single-incision hysterectomies, gallbladder removals and other procedures. The company posted better-than-expected quarterly results in October.