Suit claims robot maker knew risks

There appears to be mounting evidence against the maker of the da Vinci surgical robot after new allegations claim the company knew of possible complications associated with the medical device and didn't do enough to warn doctors.

Case in point, a New Jersey woman has filed a lawsuit against Intuitive Surgical after suffering from an array of serious side effects - including chronic abdominal pain and severe bowel issues - following non- invasive surgery.

A lawyer for Sheena Wilson told the New Jersey Star Ledger that the 45-year-old is suing Intuitive because it knew the electric current from one of the arms of the robot could "jump" from the tip of the device to the patient. The suit alleges that the company failed to tell doctors and hospitals of the issue in a timely manner.

The California-based company is facing at least 26 other lawsuits from patients who have experienced complications similar to Wilson's.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, Intuitive was also not clear enough in some of the instructions it gave to doctors who were cleaning off their tools by scraping instruments together during surgery. That scraping reportedly led to tears or holes in the protective tip covers of the da Vinci that in turn led to operating room injuries such as burns, tears and excessive bleeding.

In addition, Intuitive admitted that there are potential problems with the robot's surgical scissors and has notified physicians across the country that it will be replacing the defective part.

Even though the FDA issued a recall related to the da Vinci earlier this year, many patients have suffered harm or even death as a result of the questionable medical device.