SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq: ISRG ), the global leader in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, today announced support for a slate of Gynecology fellow trainings. These 2016 programs, spanning three societies, are designed to advance robotic-assisted surgical training for over 160 residents and fellows. Participants selected by the societies for these programs will receive hands-on instruction at one of four events being held from May through August.
Starting in May, Intuitive Surgical will sponsor the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), AAGL Advancing Minimally Invasive Surgery Worldwide (AAGL) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) to provide a suite of robotic-assisted surgical trainings for current residents and fellows.
This year, the company will invest $200,000 to continue to educate fellows and residents on the latest advances and techniques in robotic-assisted surgery. During these courses, world renowned surgical faculty will educate participants on efficient robotic-assisted surgical techniques to allow them to successfully incorporate the principles, knowledge and skills into their practice.
“Intuitive Surgical is committed to supporting societies to advance education and training for robotic-assisted surgeons,” said Myriam Curet, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Intuitive Surgical. “These world-class programs are a tremendous learning opportunity for fellows as they develop the knowledge and skills needed to use da Vinci ® technology effectively and efficiently to improve patient outcomes.”
The 2016 Fellowship trainings include:
- AUGS: May 25-27, Celebration, Florida: The course, focused on da Vinci Sacrocolpopexy, will train 24 fellows who are currently in their second or third year of fellowship. Each fellow will spend one day in a robotic lab and one day in didactic sessions.
- AAGL: July 22-24, Celebration, Florida: The course, designed to educate and update participants on the latest theories and developments in minimally invasive surgery, will train 80 fellows and 40 residents through the combination of didactic and hands-on laboratory instruction.
- SGO: Aug 19-20, Sunnyvale, California; Aug 26-27, Atlanta, Georgia: These instructional and hands-on lab based courses will instruct at least 24 fellows on the use of the da Vinci System for surgery for gynecologic cancers.
“Robotic-assisted surgery has made it easier to perform and teach minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy. This procedure went from being an open procedure to being predominately minimally invasive due in large part to da Vinci Surgical Systems,” said Dr. Patrick Culligan, Weill Cornell New York-Presbyterian Hospital and course chair for the AUGS Fellows Course. “Minimally invasive surgery has become the gold standard in our field, so exposing and training the next generation of surgeons to the latest enabling techniques and technology is paramount. We are proud to advance this effort with Intuitive Surgical.”
"The ability to train and assess AAGL fellows on the latest technology is critical to the future of gynecologic surgery. High-fidelity and interactive surgical boot camps are only possible through the ongoing backing of incredible industry supporters such as Intuitive Surgical,” said Dr. Arnold Advincula, Columbia University Medical Center and president of AAGL. “We at AAGL are grateful for these long-standing relationships that help elevate the quality of gynecologic care worldwide.”
“With this generous educational grant from Intuitive Surgical, we are able to provide high-level, intensive lab trainings, highlighting the fundamentals and techniques used in robotic-assisted gynecologic cancer procedures,” said Dr. Kenneth Kim, University of Alabama at Birmingham and faculty for SGO Minimally Invasive Academy Course for Fellows. “With today's training needs and requirements, a course of this nature greatly augments our Society's elite fellowship training for tomorrow's gynecologic oncologists.”
About Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISRG ), headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the global leader in robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery. Intuitive Surgical develops, manufactures and markets the da Vinci ® Surgical System.
About the da Vinci Surgical System
There are several models of the da Vinci Surgical System. The da Vinci Surgical Systems are designed to help surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery. da Vinci Systems are not programmed to perform surgery on their own. Instead, the procedure is performed entirely by a surgeon who controls the system. da Vinci Systems offer surgeons high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance. They use specialized instrumentation, including a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments (i.e., scissors, scalpels and forceps) that are designed to help with precise dissection and reconstruction deep inside the body.
Important Safety Information
Serious complications may occur in any surgery, including da Vinci Surgery, up to and including death. Risks include, but are not limited to, injury to tissues and organs and conversion to other surgical techniques. If your doctor needs to convert the surgery to another surgical technique, this could result in a longer operative time, additional time under anesthesia, additional or larger incisions and/or increased complications. Individual surgical results may vary. Patients who are not candidates for non-robotic minimally invasive surgery are also not candidates for da Vinci Surgery. Patients should talk to their doctors to decide if da Vinci Surgery is right for them. Patients and doctors should review all available information on non-surgical and surgical options in order to make an informed decision. Please also refer to www.daVinciSurgery.com/Safety for Important Safety Information.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as updated from time to time by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements using words such as "estimates," "projects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "targeted" and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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CONTACT: Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISRG ) Corporate Communications 408-523-7337 corpcomm@intusurg.com http://www.intuitivesurgical.com https://twitter.com/IntuitiveSurg
