It's not just for prostate cancer treatment anymore.
Windsor Regional Hospital announced on Monday the expanded use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot to remove tumours from kidneys.
The high-tech machine was purchased five years ago in 2014 and has focused primarily on treating an average of 50 prostate cancer patients a year.
The machine allows for a minimally invasive procedure so patients have quicker recovery times and spend less time in the hospital.
Thanks to private donations to cover the cost of supplies, the machine will be used for kidney cancer patients by the end of the year.
"Our goal is to provide a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery time, and equivalent cancer care results compared to an open incision," says hospital Head of Urology Dr. Raj Goel.
In addition to helping cancer patients, Dr. Goel says there are benefits to the surgeon as well.
"Increasing surgical longevity and that's been shown, that you are able to comfortably remove and perform an operation on patients without twisting and torquing your back," he says. "So it does provide us with ergonic benefits and that translates to better patient outcomes as well."