USER RESEARCH / ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING / MECHANICAL ENGINEERING / INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
DA VINCI SURGICAL SYSTEM
“Advancing what’s possible in minimally invasive care.”
The Client:
Intuitive Surgical is a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and a pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. They bring more than two decades of leadership in robotic-assisted surgical technology, including developing and manufacturing the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system.
The Product:
The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system. The system is controlled by a surgeon from a console. It is commonly used for prostatectomies and increasingly for cardiac valve repair and gynecologic surgical procedures.
The Challenge:
The da Vinci surgical device was already groundbreaking but needed refinement. From the start, Speck knew the undertaking would be extensive and that partnering with their Engineering and Design teams was the best way forward. A blend of teams and processes is never easy, but this is a strategy Speck has employed frequently and knows how to execute well.
The Process:
Since Intuitive is located in Sunnyvale, California, about 15 minutes away from Speck’s San Jose office, our two companies were in a unique position to fully integrate our engineering and design teams. The Speck Team worked onsite in Sunnyvale with their engineers and designers. Using their understanding of an industry resistant to change and our own expertise in upgrading existing designs, we were able to make something revolutionary in robotic-assisted surgery.
The Outcome:
Already an industry-leading device, the da Vinci Surgical System is more advanced than ever and accepted worldwide as the standard of care. It is now able to be used in an increasing variety of surgical procedures as well. The improvements made by the blended Speck and Intuitive teams mean a more precise and useful medical device with the capacity for more reproducible results and better patient outcomes.
