Da Vinci surgical robot joins Sentara Albemarle Medical Center team
‘Leo’ is winning name for robot in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools contest
The surgery team at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center is welcoming a da Vinci robotic surgery system named Leo. The system will perform gynecological and general surgery cases.
After a naming contest at Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools (ECPPS), Northeastern High School senior Joel Overman’s ‘Leo’ was the winner.
"This machine can be intimidating for patients,” Overman said, “so a name with the simplicity of Leo gives a calming factor, and gives respect to Leonardo da Vinci, from where the surgical system is branded."
Indeed, the multi-armed da Vinci system can look a bit overwhelming when it is positioned over patients. The device’s precision tools and tiny, high-resolution camera are inserted through inch-long incisions, contributing to quicker recovery for patients and less post-surgical pain.
The surgeon operates the system from a console near the operating table, looking through a viewer that magnifies the surgical site to ten times what the human eye can see. The robotic arms bob up and down and swing side-to-side based on the surgeon’s prompts. Surgical nurses monitor the device and change the tools as needed. Despite being robotic, Leo does not move independently. When the surgeon removes his or her hands from the controls, or looks away from the viewer, it stops.
"Our team really enjoyed working with the ECPPS students to name our new surgical robot,” said Teresa Watson, president of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. “It's been fun to read the different names they came up with and their reasoning. We are excited to introduce Leo to our patients and community as a state-of-the-art option for surgery.”
Three surgeons are currently training on the da Vinci system, which is considered standard-of-care for certain procedures. The precision tools can perform finer movements than a surgeon’s fingers, and the technology eliminates natural tremors in a human hand. It can also boost recruitment for new surgeons, who expect access to this technology.
“I am grateful to Sentara for the opportunity for ECPPS to participate in welcoming Leo to our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Keith Parker. “Northeastern High School senior Joel Overman did an incredible job researching the Da Vinci robot and submitting its new name. Leo will greatly contribute to improving the health and quality of life for the residents of eastern North Carolina, and that is exciting.”
"It was an awesome opportunity to participate in this contest and to have my name submission chosen,” Joel Overman added. “I hope to come back in the future and see the impact of the robot."
After a naming contest at Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools (ECPPS), Northeastern High School senior Joel Overman’s ‘Leo’ was the winner.
"This machine can be intimidating for patients,” Overman said, “so a name with the simplicity of Leo gives a calming factor, and gives respect to Leonardo da Vinci, from where the surgical system is branded."
Indeed, the multi-armed da Vinci system can look a bit overwhelming when it is positioned over patients. The device’s precision tools and tiny, high-resolution camera are inserted through inch-long incisions, contributing to quicker recovery for patients and less post-surgical pain.
The surgeon operates the system from a console near the operating table, looking through a viewer that magnifies the surgical site to ten times what the human eye can see. The robotic arms bob up and down and swing side-to-side based on the surgeon’s prompts. Surgical nurses monitor the device and change the tools as needed. Despite being robotic, Leo does not move independently. When the surgeon removes his or her hands from the controls, or looks away from the viewer, it stops.
"Our team really enjoyed working with the ECPPS students to name our new surgical robot,” said Teresa Watson, president of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. “It's been fun to read the different names they came up with and their reasoning. We are excited to introduce Leo to our patients and community as a state-of-the-art option for surgery.”
Three surgeons are currently training on the da Vinci system, which is considered standard-of-care for certain procedures. The precision tools can perform finer movements than a surgeon’s fingers, and the technology eliminates natural tremors in a human hand. It can also boost recruitment for new surgeons, who expect access to this technology.
“I am grateful to Sentara for the opportunity for ECPPS to participate in welcoming Leo to our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Keith Parker. “Northeastern High School senior Joel Overman did an incredible job researching the Da Vinci robot and submitting its new name. Leo will greatly contribute to improving the health and quality of life for the residents of eastern North Carolina, and that is exciting.”
"It was an awesome opportunity to participate in this contest and to have my name submission chosen,” Joel Overman added. “I hope to come back in the future and see the impact of the robot."
By: Dale Gauding