January 06, 2003
Genesis Auxiliary Makes Downpayment On Operating Room Technology
Phase II Effort will Bring More Voice-Controlled Equipment to the O.R.
Davenport, IA - The Genesis Medical Center Auxiliary has taken the next step in its effort to equip operating rooms with the latest technology, by raising $60,000 toward the purchase of a voice-activated surgical camera control system. It's the first payment toward the Auxiliary's $400,000 pledge for phase II of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Project. Debra Berryman, Auxiliary President, presented the check to Genesis Medical Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Berg.
When Phase II is complete, the AESOP system, which allows surgeons to use speech recognition technology to control a tiny surgical camera used during minimally invasive surgery, will be added to Genesis Medical Center operating rooms. During such surgeries, the camera, along with other small operating instruments, is passed into a patient's body through small incisions. The camera allows the surgeon to perform a procedure while viewing it on a video monitor. With AESOP, the surgeon's commands are recorded onto a voice card, which is inserted into a controller before surgery begins. The surgeon can then directly control the camera simply by speaking, as AESOP imitates the form and function of a human arm. AESOP's robotic precision and stability eliminate the arduous task of maneuvering the camera by hand and give the surgeon a steady field of view. Operating room staff are freed up to focus on taking care of the patient. Minimally invasive surgery eliminates large incisions, reduces patient pain and blood loss, and shortens hospital stays.
"As we do more advanced and longer procedures, it's important to stay up-to-date and have the technology to assist us," says Joseph Lohmuller, M.D., Davenport Surgical Group, P.C. "We really appreciate the Auxiliary for taking this project on. This will result in more efficient and higher quality surgery for our patients."
The Auxiliary completed fundraising for the $604,000 Phase I of the project in July, a year-and-a-half ahead of schedule. It allowed the purchase of the HERMES control center system, which already has been installed in operating rooms at Genesis Medical Center. The HERMES system, which also uses voice control technology, allows operating room equipment - tables, lights, cameras and surgical machinery - to be networked and controlled by simple surgeon commands or via a handheld touch-screen pendant worn by the surgeon. When combined, the HERMES and AESOP systems will bring a new wave of electronic integration into Genesis Medical Center operating rooms and be the stepping stone for expanding the use of voice-controlled technology.
The Genesis Medical Center Auxiliary is comprised of more than 800 volunteers who in 2001 spent 74, 483 hours working at the two hospital campuses. Monies for various hospital projects are raised through their gift shop sales, annual style show and jewelry sale.
