Intuitive Surgical Announces the World's First Totally Endoscopic Intra-Cardiac Procedure.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 3, 1999--

Today, Intuitive Surgical, the world leader in computer-enhanced surgical systems, announced that the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Johann-Wolfgang von Goethe University Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany successfully performed the world's first closed-chest (totally endoscopic through three, 1 cm ports) Atrial-Septal Defect (ASD) closure on Tuesday, August 24, 1999.

The patient was a 63-year-old male with a large defect of the atrial-septal wall and a calculated shunt volume of 70% suffering from shortness of breath. This patient needed the operation to be able to return to his normal everyday activities. Receiving a minimally invasive operation was very important to this patient, as he is an active individual and an avid world traveler.

Professor Anton Moritz, Head of Cardiac Surgery, and Dr. Gerhard Wimmer-Greinecker, Senior Cardiac Surgeon from the University Hospital in Frankfurt-Main stated: "The entire surgical team is very pleased with the success of this case, and believe that our results are reproducible due to the excellent performance, short learning curve of the da Vinci(TM) System, and innovative cannulation techniques. We expect this new approach to intra-cardiac procedures to become standard practice."

The Frankfurt team used a selective bicaval cannulation method: The superior vena cava was cannulated percutaneously via the right jugular internal vein, and the inferior vena cava was cannulated via the right femoral vein. The arterial cannulation was performed via the right femoral artery and the aortic clamping was performed using the standard Heartport(TM)- Endoclamp(TM) Balloon Cannula. Two endoscopically placed transthoracic snares achieved complete caval occlusion. "With a totally endoscopic approach, we used the da Vinci(TM) System to dissect the superior and inferior vena cava, place the snares, open the pericardium and the atrium of the heart exposing the septum," explained Dr. Wimmer-Greinecker. The septal defect was closed by using a 2 x 2.5 cm patch, delivered easily via one of the da Vinci(TM) System ports, and the patch was then fixed in place using a 20 cm running suture. Dr. Wimmer-Greinecker continues, "It would have been impossible to do this complete operation endoscopically without the da Vinci(TM) System's enhanced visualization and precise instrument control."

Professor Moritz further mentioned: "Since receiving the da Vinci(TM) System at the end of June, we have performed a total of 18 computer-enhanced procedures including 6 fully closed-chest LIMA-LAD, and now 1 fully closed-chest ASD. Other procedures include left and right ITA mobilizations and anastomoses in mini thoracotomy multivessel cases. We anticipate quickly moving to totally endoscopic, multivessel cardiac procedures."

Professor Moritz and Dr. Wimmer-Greinecker further mention, "We are confident that our patients will continue to benefit from this new technology as demonstrated in this case. The patient was extubated 6 hours after the surgery, was discharged from ICU 12 hours after surgery, and reported absolutely no pain the following morning."

About the da Vinci(TM) Surgical System

Intuitive has developed a computer-enhanced, minimally invasive surgical system that uses proprietary electronics, advanced mechanics, and enhanced visualization to greatly improve surgical technique and to take surgical precision far beyond what is possible today.

The da Vinci(TM) Surgical System is a new surgical technology intended to eliminate the major obstacles to widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). It is designed to transform a broad range of open procedures to minimally invasive procedures by making MIS more precise and easier to perform.

Using state-of-the-art computing, sophisticated software, and highly specialized micro-surgical instruments, the da Vinci(TM) Surgical System combines the natural hand movements used in traditional open surgery with the less traumatic approach of MIS, thereby delivering the best of both techniques.

The da Vinci(TM) Surgical System consists of two primary components: the surgeon's viewing and control console, and the surgical arm unit that positions and maneuvers detachable surgical instruments. These pencil-sized instruments with EndoWrist(TM) technology (tiny, computer-enhanced mechanical wrists) are designed to provide the dexterity of the surgeon's forearm and wrist at the operative site through 1 cm ports.

Using the da Vinci(TM) Surgical System, surgeons perform procedures seated at the console, while viewing a high-resolution 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's hands rest below the monitor and hold instruments that provide the flexibility of those used in open surgery. Highly specialized technology simultaneously transfers the surgeon's exact hand movements made at the console to precise microsurgical movements of the instruments at the operative site.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., was founded in 1995 to pioneer the development of new minimally invasive surgical instrumentation and techniques.

Intuitive(TM), da Vinci(TM), and EndoWrist(TM) are trademarks of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Visit Intuitive Surgical's web site at www.intuitivesurgical.com