US Patent Issued to INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS on July 8 for "Colorectal and pelvic surgical simulation model systems and methods" (North Carolina Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 9 -- United States Patent no. 12,354,496, issued on July 8, was assigned to INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC. (Sunnyvale, Calif.).

"Colorectal and pelvic surgical simulation model systems and methods" was invented by Richard Feins (Chapel Hill, N.C.), John Alexander (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Samuel D. Drew (Chapel Hill, N.C.) and Joanna Cao (Chapel Hill, N.C.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A custom support structure and models for use in simulated robotically-assisted, telesurgical and/or laparoscopic colonic, pelvic, bladder, or uterine surgery are disclosed. The support structure comprises components for inserting the support structure into a mannequin, and for positioning...