Intuitive offers medical equipment and supplies used during minimally invasive robotic surgery, a procedure performed through tiny incisions. The robotic system is used in conjunction with accessories and ancillaries such as fenestrated bipolar forceps, needle drivers, assembly forceps, drape kits, cautery hook, and round-tip scissors. The surgical accessories can be decoupled from the robotic surgical tool inside the cavity. Intuitive's ION Endoluminal robotic-assisted platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the lungs. The system has an thin, maneuverable catheter that allows navigation far into the peripheral lung, and its stability enables the precision needed for biopsy.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) The Intuitive Surgical, Incorporated ION Robot System has to do with direct patient treatment and care. Without access to this robot system, the Hospital would not be able to offer patient care and would drive patients elsewhere and result in a loss of revenue to the Hospital.