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General Terms
minimally invasive surgery
Minimally Invasive Surgery (also known as MIS, minimal
access, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgery) is a major advance in bringing to
patients the excellent results of traditional surgical procedures, while
eliminating the most physically and emotionally traumatic elements: the pain and
lengthy recovery from "open" surgery. Minimally invasive surgery means having a
minimum of interference with the patient's normal physiological function.
Advances in laparoscopic surgery allow surgeons access to complex patient
anatomy through very small incisions instead of the large incisions associated
with conventional "open" surgery. Patients experience less pain and shorter
recovery times.
open surgery
Cutting the skin and tissues during surgery to expose a
full view of the structures and organs involved in the procedure. Surgeons work
under direct visualization with full incision.
urologic oncologist
A doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the
urinary system. urology
The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and
treatment of disorders of the urinary tract or urogenital system.
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Prostate-related Terms
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth
of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow
of urine. Also called benign prostatic hypertrophy.
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth
of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow
of urine. Also called benign prostatic hyperplasia.
gleason score
A system of grading prostate cancer. The Gleason grading
system assigns a grade to each of the two largest areas of cancer in the tissue
samples. Grades range from 1 to 5), with 1 being the least aggressive and 5 the
most aggressive. Grade 3 tumors, for example, seldom have metastases, but
metastases are common with grade 4 or grade 5. The two grades are then added
together to produce a Gleason score. A score of 2 to 4 is considered low grade;
5 through 7, intermediate grade; and 8 through 10, high grade. A tumor with a
low Gleason score typically grows slowly enough that it may not pose a
significant threat to the patient in his lifetime.
prostate
A gland in the male reproductive system just below the
bladder. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the
bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen.
prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
A substance produced by the prostate that may be found in
an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign
prostatic hyperplasia, or infection or inflammation of the prostate.
prostate-specific antigen test
A blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific
antigen (PSA), a substance produced by the prostate and some other tissues in
the body. Increased levels of PSA may be a sign of prostate cancer.
prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP)
An enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in
increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer.
prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
(PIN)
PIN. Noncancerous growth of the cells lining the internal
and external surfaces of the prostate gland. It is an important sign that
prostate cancer may develop.
prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland.
TRUS (Transrectal Ultrasound)
A procedure in which a probe that sends out high-energy
sound waves is inserted into the rectum. The sound waves are bounced off
internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body
tissue called a sonogram. TRUS is used to look for abnormalities in the rectum
and nearby structures, including the prostate. Also called endorectal
ultrasound.
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Treatment Terms biopsy
The removal of cells or tissues for examination under a
microscope. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an
incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is
removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue
or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or
fine-needle aspiration. brachytherapy
A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in
needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor.
Also called internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation
therapy. chemoprevention
The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try
to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.
conformal radiation therapy
A radiation therapy that uses computers to create a
3-dimensional picture of the tumor so that multiple radiation beams can be
shaped exactly (conform) to the contour of the treatment area.
laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP)
Minimally invasive removal of the prostate, using the
laparoscope or small surgical camera. Advantages of the laparoscopic approach
include improved visualization of the anatomy, reduced blood loss, better
preserved anatomical structures, and shorter convalescence.
palliative
Relieving or soothing the symptoms of a disease or
disorder without effecting a cure.
prostatectomy
An operation to remove part or all of the prostate.
Radical (or total) prostatectomy is the removal of the entire prostate and some
of the tissue around it.
radiation
Energy released in the form of particles or
electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic
rays from outer space, and medical x-rays.
radiation therapy
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays,
neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation
may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or
it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells
(internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy). Systemic
radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled
monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called
radiotherapy.
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Robotics Terms medical robotics
Remote activated or user manipulated motion-control,
imaging and communication devices, operated via computer hardware and software
to enable physicians to conduct an increasing array of surgical procedures in a
minimally invasive manner.
degrees of freedom
Robots are typically capable of movement along a number of
axes; these movements can be rotational or translational. The number of axes of
movement (degrees of freedom), their arrangement and their sequence of
operation, permits movement of the robot to any point within its envelope.
Robots have three arm movements (up-down, in-out, side-to-side). In addition,
they can have as many as three additional wrist movements on the end of the
robot's arm: yaw (side to side), pitch (up and down), and rotational
(clockwise).
EndoWristª technology
Tiny computer-enhanced mechanical wrists near the end of
the instrument tip that provide all the flexibility of the human wrist and
forearm at the operative site, through 1 cm ports.
haptics
Haptics (pronounced HAP-tiks) is the science of applying
touch (tactile) sensation and control to interaction with computer applications.
(The word derives from the Greek haptein meaning "to fasten.") By using special
input/output devices (such as joysticks or data gloves), users can receive
feedback from computer applications in the form of felt sensations in the hand
or other parts of the body. In combination with a visual display, haptics
technology can be used to train people for tasks requiring hand-eye
coordination, including surgery. robot
An automatic device that performs functions normally
ascribed to humans. More technically, a reprogrammable, multifunctional
manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices
through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.
The word 'robot' was coined by the Czech playwright Karel Capek, from the Czech
word for forced labor or serf. robotics
A branch of engineering that involves the conception,
design, manufacture, and operation of robots. This field overlaps with
electronics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mechatronics,
nanotechnology, and bioengineering.
robot components
For a machine to qualify as a robot, it usually needs
these 5 parts:
> Controller
> Arm
> Drive
> End Effector
> Sensor
motion scaling
A software-based feature of the da Vinci¨
Surgical System that increases surgical precision and fine motor control by: 1)
scaling hand movements so that large motions by the surgeon are reduced to
micro-movements at the operative site, and 2) eliminating natural hand tremors.
port
A tiny (1 cm) incision, into which a cannula (hollow,
rigid tube) is inserted to act as a conduit for an endoscope or minimally
invasive surgical instruments.
Transformsª technology
Natural operative orientation of the instruments in the
visual image is maintained regardless of camera rotation, or position within the
body, relative to the instruments. In traditional MIS, as the camera is rotated,
surgeons become disoriented since, for example, what was "right" on the screen
can be "left" with a 180 degree camera rotation.
video-assisted surgery
Any surgical procedure utilizing a visualization device,
such as an endoscope. visual immersion
The surgeon seated at the console is able to look down
into the video display and see a precise 3-D image of the surgical field, with
hands and instruments in a natural line of sight ø just as it would appear in
open surgery. 3-D visualization that allows eye-hand instrument alignment and
coordination promotes maximum immersion at the surgical site, eliminating the
spatial disorientation and disconnected hand/eye coordination inherent in
current MIS techniques. Return to Top |
