Middle school students at Cooper get first-hand look at medical technology

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--On March 13th, middle school students at The John Cooper School had a rare opportunity to learn about, and even operate, the da Vinci® Surgical System, a robot that assists surgeons in minimally invasive surgery.

Introduced in 1999 by Intuitive Surgical, the da Vinci® Surgical System is now the global leader in the emerging field of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. Since the beginning, the company has consistently provided surgeons and hospitals with the tools needed to help patients return to their productive lives.

What makes this system really unique is that the surgeon does not operate over the patient, rather in a separate component known as the surgeon counsel. From there, the surgeon has full control of the robot by using finger stirrups that then move the robot’s four arms. Three of the arms hold instruments for the surgery. The fourth arm holds the camera, which allows the surgeon to see a 3D image. Brian Kiscoe, the Area Sales Manager for Intuitive Surgical, explains that the da Vinci mimics open surgery.

“Theoretically, you’ve got your left hand, your right hand, and your eyes,” said Kiscoe. “It is as if you were operating over the patient.”

Compared to open surgeries, minimally invasive surgeries with the da Vinci® Surgical System decreases patient recovery time, blood transfusions and re-admits. Instead of a large incision, there is only a small incision that is made in the abdomen.

The system was transported from Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands to John Cooper so that students could get a first-hand look at medical technology. There are about 50 of these robots across the Houston area and three are located right here in The Woodlands at Memorial Hermann.

Dr. Christine Lee, a Gynecological Oncologist with Texas Oncology, was also there discussing here career in the medical field. Dr. Lee has used the the da Vinci® Surgical System in past surgeries and is amazed at what it can do.

“Intuitive surgical is so beyond what is available in medical technology today. It’s fascinating,” said Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee also encouraged the John Cooper students to follow a career path that they are passionate about. After her presentation, students were encouraged to try out the da Vinci®,where they could move the different arms to try and grab small rubber bands.

The da Vinci® Surgical System and Dr. Lee’s presentation was all a part of Career Day at John Cooper. Each year, the middle school students have what they call a “mini-mester” where they take a three-day break from their normal curriculum to focus on five key areas of development: intellectual, social, emotional, ethical and physical development. This includes Career Day, as well as other activities such as museum visits and service learning projects.