LVHN One of First Health Systems in U.S. to Upgrade Entire Fleet of 18 Surgical Robots

Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, part of Lehigh Valley Network (LVHN) and Jefferson Health, is committed to the latest technology so patients can have the most advanced and comfortable experience possible. That’s why, in fall 2025, all the surgical robots across LVHN were upgraded to the latest model, the da Vinci 5™. 

“This is a significant investment that reinforces the excellence of our services,” says Jim Miller, Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson Health. “It’s logical that when surgeons have superior imaging and the most sophisticated tools, they simply get better results. For patients that means less pain, faster recovery and a shorter time in the hospital.”

LVHN is a national leader in robotic surgery and one of the first health networks in the country to undertake a technological improvement of this scale. Surgeons at Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence have completed more than 50,000 procedures since 2008 in the areas of gynecology, urogynecology, cancer, obesity, hernias, urology, thoracic surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), general surgery and orthopedics.

Upgrading the network’s robots will meet the increasing needs of its growing patient population that stretches across 10 counties in Pennsylvania. 

“The new system is a major improvement over previous technology,” says Michael Pasquale, MD, System Chief, Jefferson Health Perioperative Services and Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence. “Its features contribute to a better experience, better outcomes and achievement of our goal – getting patients back to being themselves quickly.” 

He notes the new system is more efficient, has 10,000 times the computing power of previous models and includes more than 150 design changes. 

The da Vinci 5™ takes imaging further with highly magnified 3D vision and true depth perception. This enables surgeons to see structures inside the body with new clarity. Tools, inspired by the human hand, offer a greater range of motion while reducing humans’ natural tremor. In addition, the upgraded system utilizes a first-of-its-kind Force Feedback™ technology. 

Force feedback allows the surgeon to sense push-and-pull forces and feel tissue tension in common surgical tasks. Resulting in up to 43% less force on tissue, Force Feedback makes the new system the most minimally invasive robot yet. According to the manufacturer, “Gentle handling is the goal.” 

This aspect adds to the already established advantages provided by robotic-assisted surgery. 

“If you were facing surgery and were granted three wishes, what would they be?” Dr. Pasquale says. “Probably, ‘A tiny incision, no complications and back home soon.’ These are the hallmarks of robotic- assisted surgery. As technology continues to advance, we upgrade our systems so that patients can continue to benefit from improvements and get back to feeling better faster.”