Force Gauge on the da Vinci 5 surgical robot. | Credit: Intuitive
Intuitive today unveiled the first in a series of new software capabilities for its da Vinci 5 surgical robot. The Sunnyvale, California–based surgical robotics leader designed the new capabilities to deliver a range of real-time surgical insights to enhance both surgeon and hospital efficiency.
da Vinci 5, the company’s latest-generation surgical robot platform, has more than 10,000 times the computing power of da Vinci Xi. This enables the introduction of the new system capabilities.
Those new features include Force Gauge, a speedometer-like visual indicator. This shows the force applied at the system’s force feedback instrument tip. It also now has in-console video replay, an intraoperative feature that enables surgeons to revisit and review key moments from an ongoing procedure, without ever removing their head from the console.
Intuitive also introduced Network CCM, a feature that processes software updates remotely. These include Force Gauge and in-console video replay.
“The expanded computing power of da Vinci 5 offers an opportunity to continuously optimize and extend platform performance capabilities through sequential software releases,” said Intuitive CEO Dave Rosa. “We pay careful attention to our customers’ long-term needs, and the integration of these latest features is the next step towards realizing what we set out to achieve with da Vinci 5 – helping surgeons and care teams to optimize efficiencies, deliver improved patient outcomes, and ultimately lower the total cost of care.”
Iman Jeddi, senior vice president and general manager of Intuitive’s multiport platform, will offer a rare look inside the redesign and launch of the da Vinci 5 during her keynote at RoboBusiness (Oct. 15-16 in Santa Clara). How does a market leader rethink its flagship system in a competitive, maturing space? And how do you design not just for the present, but for the future of digital surgery? Jeddi’s talk will explore discipline, platform thinking, and staying ahead in a field that’s catching up.
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da Vinci 5 new features could lead to safer surgery
With the new features, when using force feedback instruments, da Vinci 5 now displays real-time force applied to tissue during surgery. The Force Gauge visual indicator shows the force applied to support a greater awareness, measuring force within a 0–6.5 Newton range.
Dr. Andrea Pakula, medical director of robotic surgery at Adventist Health, said the hospital has used force feedback technology for more than a year and a half.
“Now, with the addition of the new Force Gauge feature, we have a real-time visual indicator of the force being applied through the instruments. This provides immediate feedback and adds another layer of information to allow us to further refine our technique,” Pakula said. “I’m excited to see how these enhancements could support gentler, safer surgery, as we remain focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
In-console video replay gives surgeons the ability to revisit and review video from earlier moments in the same procedure. The replay appears directly in their field of view alongside a live picture-in-picture window for continuous situational awareness.
Fully integrated into da Vinci 5, the replay captures the entire procedure locally and temporarily. It supports real-time decision-making, collaborative review between dual consoles and improved procedural safety and efficiency.
Intuitive plans to make the new, FDA-cleared features available to U.S. customers through its Network CCM real-time update feature.
The da Vinci 5 system. | Source: Intuitive Surgical
