Members of the public were given a chance to try their hand at keyhole surgery at the weekend when a working model of one of the most sophisticated pieces of medical kit in the country went on display.
The device was on show in Aberdeen to demonstrate the capabilities of the Robotic-Assisted Surgical System (RASS) which is due to come into operation in the city later this summer.
The RASS will be used to carry out minimally-invasive procedures for conditions including prostate, bowel, rectal and gynaecological cancers at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
Patients in the north-east will be the first in Scotland to benefit from the technology following a £2.5million campaign led by cancer charity Ucan, which was given a £1million boost by the Scottish Government last year.
On Saturday, visitors to the Suttie Centre, at Foresterhill Health Campus had the opportunity to try out the equipment and meet donors to the project, including former keyhole surgery patients.
The ARI surgeons who will use the system were also at the event.
The new technology provides a 3D high-definition camera which gives surgeons a clear, highly magnified view of the procedure area.
The equipment also boasts fine instruments, which mimic a surgeon’s hand movements, and make small incisions into a patient’s body allowing intricate procedures such as tumour and organ-removal to be carried out with more precision.
ARI staff will now be trained in how to use it in the coming weeks and the first patients are likely to be treated with it in late August.