Robot used for removing tumors practices surgery

The Da Vinci surgery system, which has recently begun to assist surgeons in hysterectomies and gall bladder removals, was filmed as it sutured the tiny berry back together.

The robot, which uses miniature instruments is remotely operated by a surgeon, performs complicated tasks such as tying knots and perfectly placing the skin on the grape during the stitching process.

A video of the procedure shows the remarkable precision, though it is not until the end that viewers see that all of the action is taking place inside a small bottle.

Grape skins are only fractions of a centimeter thick.

Surgeons use the device to be able to work effectively inside patients' bodies using keyhole surgery rather than creating bigger incisions that leave scars.

The Da Vinci robot, where the surgeon looks at a 3D video of the area being operated on at a large console, is able to complete procedures where the surgical hole is less than two centimeters.

Despite the fragility of a normal grape, which are generally less than an inch long, the fruit is left in almost perfect condition after the robot ties up the last stitch. 

The device is also able to fold small paper airplanes.

Hospitals pay up to $2million for the surgery system and it has an annual service cost of more than $100,000, according to Modern Healthcare.

It was first used in 2000. 

(dailymail.co.uk)