NEWSLETTER Alumni News of the Newyork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Department of Surgery
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Volume 8, Number 2 Fall/Winter 2005 John Jones Surgical Society NEWSLETTER Alumni News of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Department of Surgery The “Penelope Project”A Review of Progress Michael R. Treat MD Introduction Clinical Grade Robot In This Issue Alan Kay, an American computer scientist and visionary The development of the machine has culminated so far has been often quoted for saying "The best way to in what we call the “clinical grade robot”, which is a The “Penelope Project” predict the future is to invent it”. machine that is capable of performing in the operating A Review of Progress 1 We would like to add to that,“The best way to room. Whipple Surgical Society invent the future is to build it.” of P&S 2 The purpose of this article is to describe the cameras John Jones Day Program 2 amazing progress that we have had in building the robotic arm future.The “Penelope Project” had its inception four camera post Where are They Now? 3 years ago.The Penelope Project is about designing and electromagnet American College of Surgeons building a new type of surgical robot, one that Clinical Congress Reception 4 functions autonomously and intelligently, aided by a instrument tray Letter to the Editor 6 sense of vision and voice recognition. Current surgical transfer zone robots, such as the “da Vinci” (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) Research Committee robot used in cardiac, urologic and other minimally Report 2005 7 invasive surgical procedures, function as direct system stand electronics extensions of the surgeon's physical and visual abilities. The Penelope type of robot is different- it functions as Newsletter Information a co-worker acting in concert with the operating room staff. Publication The project was the brainchild of Michael R.Treat Department of Surgery MD, [1981 graduate of the surgical residency program] Office of External Affairs who assembled a brilliant team of computer programmers and engineers to build a series of Editor increasingly capable prototypes, leading up to the (ABOVE) Penelope 3.0 Alpha David W. Kinne, MD clinical-grade machine which performed in its first Address surgical case on June 16, 2005 at the Allen Pavilion. Basic Functions of the Penelope Surgical John Jones Surgical Society This machine is part of the transformation of the Instrument Server Department of Surgery, MHB-7SK operating room. It represents the closer union of The PenelopeTM Surgical Instrument Server (SIS) is 177 Fort Washington Avenue information processing technology with the day-to-day the world's first autonomous, machine-vision guided, New York, NY 10032 activities of people on the “sharp end of the stick”, the robotic surgical assistant.“She” is a co-worker or Tel:212.305.2735 surgeons and operating room staff who work together helper for the operating room staff. Penelope uses Fax: 212.305.3236 to help our patients. voice recognition to respond to the surgeon's verbal Supporters of this project over the past four years request for any of the variety of instruments required Visit the have included:The Telemedicine and Advanced during a surgical procedure. Drawing from an Department of Surgery Technology Research Center of the United States assortment of instruments that she manages on an website at Army (TATRC),The National Institutes of Health,The instrument tray, Penelope hands the instrument to the www.columbiasurgery.org National Science Foundation,The Defense Advanced surgeon with a robotic arm. Using a visual capability, Research Projects Agency (DARPA),The NewYork- the robot then locates any instrument that the surgeon View JJSS Events and News Presbyterian Hospital,The Department of Surgery of has finished using and returns it to the instrument tray. by clicking JJSS/Alumni link Columbia University She can also count and document instruments and at bottom right of website. other items used in the surgical operation. Continues on page 6 2 John Jones Surgical Society Volume 8, Number 2 Fall/Winter 2005 Second Annual Whipple Surgical Society of P&S John Jones Surgical Society Day Brent Y. Kimball P&S Class of 2007 This year the number of categorical surgical at applicants skyrocketed! In 2005 NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia only four P&S students applied to general surgery residencies, in May 6-7, 2005 2006 that number jumped to 21. The efforts of the Whipple David W. Kinne, M.D. Surgical Society coupled with The meeting began on a festive note, with a cocktail party and dinner which was very commitment and support from well attended at the Terrace in the Sky in Butler Hall, 400 West 119th Street, on Friday, the Department of Surgery has Allen O. Whipple May 6, 2005.After dinner, Sherman Bull, MD, presented Conquering Everest which he ignited new interest in surgery did successfully with a team including his son, Brad, in 2001. In three prior attempts, he among P&S students. More and more students are reached the south summit (100 meters below the peak) twice, only to be turned back requesting, and at times even demanding exposure to by bad weather or injury. In his 1998 attempt, he fell 600 feet, breaking multiple bones surgery early in their medical education.The General and suffering DVT during his recovery, which took a year. Surgery Residency Program Director, Dr. Mark A. Illustrated with slides, he showed many frozen bodies. Interestingly, most deaths Hardy commented that “growth in surgery applicants occur on the way down - perhaps climbers are not as careful as on ascent, and may be this year is astounding, especially when compared to euphoric at their success.The physiologic demands are significant - the body requires the dwindling interest in the recent past.” 6000 calories per day, which is impossible - weight loss is unavoidable. Many foods When a student witnesses first hand the role of a freeze and chewing is hard work. Sherman found that M & M's were a good foodstuff. surgeon, application of cutting edge technology, and During the question and answer session, possible applications of this foolproof weight the doctor patient relationship forged through loss program at sea level were explored, to no avail. surgical intervention, a seed of idealism is planted.The Saturday morning, after breakfast in the Faculty Club, Drs. Kenneth Forde and Eric Whipple Society of P&S has attempted to fuel the fire Rose offered welcoming remarks.The members were taken on tours, led by residents, of surgery optimism by creating new programs for of the laboratories on P & S 17, the transplant clinic and the new Children's Hospital students to explore their budding curiosity towards of New York.Then, wet clinics were offered in the Milstein Operating Rooms: Dr. surgery.The kidney and liver organ procurement Memhet Oz performing AVR/GABG and Dr. James McKinsey an Angiogram and program led by Dr. Benjamin Samstein continues to Peripheral Atherectomy. receive strong interest with approximately 40 After lunch in the Faculty Club, Dr. Eric Rose presented the Department of Surgery: students attending harvests during the last year. A Five Year Perspective, which outlined the accomplishments and expanded new Because of this demand we have recently extended programs of the Department.Then the afternoon ended with scientific presentations the program to include heart and lung procurement given by many faculty members, moderated by Dr. Henry Spotnitz.These highlighted and transplantation as well. Chris Reverte a second recent developments and future directions in many surgical fields. Following a question year student who has led numerous students on and answer session, the meeting was adjourned. organ harvests commented that “the hands-on experience quickly reminds students why they are in medical school. It is refreshing to step out of the classroom and into the OR to catch a glimpse of what the future may hold.” We have also organized workshops for first and second year students to learn the most basic of all surgical skills, suturing. During the spring of '06 second year students will receive for the first time, hands-on laparoscopy instruction from Dr.Warren D.Widmann,Associate Program Director of the Surgical Residency Program. In coordination with Doris Leddy, Chair of the Surgical Education Committee, we now have a new program called “Spend a day with a Surgeon.” Faculty from every specialty have opened their offices and OR's to students interested to experience,“a day in the life.” This program is now available for students interested in a particular surgical specialty. This year the number of general surgery applicants was split 50/50 between men and women.Through Continues on page 6 John Jones Surgical Society Volume 8, Number 2 Fall/Winter 2005 3 Where are They Now? Eric Liu, MD, Resident, Department of Surgery Dr. Alfred Jaretzki III started his surgical point working in a specialty is compelling, do so. However, at the residency at Presbyterian Hospital in 1944.After an beginning, I do not think one should select or limit oneself to an interruption for military service, he completed his operative procedure or disease.Although it's more glamorous to chief residency in 1954 and followed up with become exceedingly proficient in one area, I suggest that this should not specialty training in chest surgery at both be an early choice.To subspecialize too early I believe is too limiting, Presbyterian and Lenox Hill hospitals.As a resident, prevents the necessary subsequent "growth" that is always necessary, he did research with Drs.Voorhees and Blakemore and may even prove boring over the years. and co-authored the Vinyon-N report of 1952. He Subspecialization may and probably will occur later, both in an Alfred Jaretzki III continued his association with Columbia University, unanticipated fashion and for unanticipated reasons.