Robots

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated's da Vinci Surgical System, 2009 model is seen in this undated handout photograph. Surgeons are increasingly turning to high-tech robotic equipment to operate on patients with prostate cancer and other conditions but some medical authorities worry about inadequate training and lax standards among practitioners. Doctors are opting for Intuitive Surgical's popular da Vinci Surgical System over conventional surgery, especially for removing the prostate gland, because it is less invasive and allows for greater precision. There were some 80,000 robotic prostatectomy procedures in the United States last year. To match feature -SURGERY/ROBOTICS REUTERS/Courtesy of Intuitive Surgical/Handout/Files (UNITED STATES SCI TECH HEALTH) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS