Instruments
The instruments utilized in the Versius Surgical System adhere to the fundamental design established by its predecessor. It is a mechanical tool moved by a system of of pulleys and tensors. The instrument itself is at the distal end of a vastagus. They are wristed. They attach to the arm at the proximal end where both electronic and mechanical connections are built-in.
Differences. Instruments are 6.8 mm in diameter. To maintain the same degrees of freedom the decision was made to transfer rotational movement to the arm itself. Consequently, the entire disposable instrument can rotate due to the design of the arms. This innovation results in fewer cables within the vastagus and a reduced number of mechanical connections (only three) at the instrument-arm interface.
Available instruments are the usual ones. Maryland dissector, fenestrated forceps, needle holder, scissor, hook… with monopolar or bipolar energy depending on the particular instrument. Advanced energy options are not yet available, although the company assures they are currently in development.
As a remarkable difference, the system does not require a distal support in the cannula. The cannula is not attached to the arm, so it may be used or not. Actually, conventional (non-robotic) cannulas are used. While it remains essential for percutaneous approaches, it is not required for transorificial or open approaches. The virtual pivot point (referred to as the remote center in the previous system) must be manually set for each instrument.
Finally, note that the system is designed so the arm holds the instrument «aligned». Both the da Vinci Surgical system and the new device from Medtronic (Hugo) operate in a retrograde manner. This distinction in design does not inherently indicate a virtue or a flaw, but rather underlines a difference between the systems.
More on the Versius Surgical System. Next.
J Granell. June , 2023
Notice. The Versius Surgical System has not the CE mark for Head and Neck Surgery