A robot gynecologist will soon be treating patients in New York.

The da Vinci robot has performed a number of minor operations since it was approved for use by the FDA in 2000.

Now, Elmhurst Hospital in Queens has purchased one - to join their team of obstetricians and gynecologists.

The robot will be used to perform non-invasive procedures on women, a spokesman revealed on Wednesday.

The robot will see you now: Elmhurst Hospital in Queens has purchased a da Vinci robot (pictured during trials) to join their team of obstetricians and gynecologists

These procedures cover all manner of female health concerns, including the removal of benign or cancerous tumors from the uterus.

As the patient lies on the operating table, the robot carries out the procedure, controled by the ob-gyn.

Meanwhile, the ob-gyn sits separately, looking at a high-definition 3D projection of the surgical site.

The ob-gyn uses hand and foot controls to move the many mechanical arms to perform the procedure.

Though it sounds alarming, medics insist the da Vinci lets them bypass a number of common - previously unavoidable - side effects of surgery.

'Robotic surgery has several important benefits, including faster recovery times and less blood loss,' Elmhurst's Director of OB/GYN Services Dr Barry Brown said in a statement.

'Women who in the past would have been hospitalized for a week are now able to go home in a day.'

How it works: A graphic produced by Mail on Sunday to show how the robot would remove a tumor from a lung also shows how, looking at a high-definition 3D projection of the surgical site, the ob-gyn uses hand and foot controls to move the mechanical arms to perform the procedure

Surgeons use the device to be able to work effectively inside patients' bodies using keyhole surgery rather than creating bigger incisions that leave scars.

Hospitals pay up to $2million for the surgery system and it has an annual service cost of more than $100,000.

The innovation has allowed patients to leave hospital within two days of surgery, suffering only minimal post-operative pain.

The machine locates and removes tumors without pressing on patients' ribs as it reaches and grabs the tumor.