10 surgical robotics firms to observe in 2024

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The surgical robotics house noticed a significant shakeup final 12 months. “Robotics is hard. Robotics in healthcare is hard.”

Hani Abouhalka, Johnson & Johnson’s firm group chair for Robotics & Digital, stated these phrases at DeviceTalks West, which was co-located with RoboBusiness in California in October. 

It just about sums up the scenario for medtech firms giant and small that sought to compete in opposition to Intuitive Surgical within the soft-tissue surgical robotics house. Despite the elevated competitors, Intuitive stays the undisputed chief. It’s even shifting ahead on a next-gen da Vinci robotic.

For its half, Johnson & Johnson is sticking with plans to develop its Ottava surgical robotic. J&J now plans to submit Ottava for FDA investigational system exemption (IDE) within the second half of 2024 so as to begin medical trials.

Surgical robotics builders reduce staffers

Even although it’s sticking with robotic surgical procedure, J&J laid off staff within the discipline in 2023. Other firms, together with Vicarious Surgical, have additionally reduce jobs.

Meanwhile, Titan Medical has principally wound down. And Siemens Healthineers stated final 12 months that it might discontinue the usage of its Corindus surgical robots for cardiology procedures.

Here are 10 surgical robotics firms that proceed to draw consideration from our editors and viewers:

 

And right here is extra concerning the 10 firms:

Intuitive Surgical: Reaping the advantages of being a pioneer

Companies of all sizes are attempting to compete in opposition to Intuitive Surgical within the soft-tissue surgical robotics house, nevertheless it stays the undisputed chief.

Since its founding within the Nineties, the Sunnyvale, Calif.–primarily based firm has positioned greater than 8,000 multiport and single-port techniques across the globe and racked up greater than 14 million procedures, together with roughly 2.3 million simply final 12 months.

“I do see us as the leader, as the pioneer,” stated Dave Rosa, president of Intuitive Surgical, throughout DeviceTalks West in Santa Clara, Calif.

Promoted to the place of president in May 2023, the 27-year firm veteran provided his recommendation on perseverance to medical system builders: “Competitors and the growing field, it’s so exciting [because] that validates the … blood, sweat and tears that our team has put in to forge this field and show that there is benefit with robotics. We can do things better, not only bringing more minimally invasive surgery to the world, but [also by] doing it with better options than laparoscopy could. … And now we have big and small companies coming in and saying, ‘We can make a difference too.’”

In January, Intuitive introduced that it has submitted for FDA 510(okay) clearance of its next-generation da Vinci 5 multiport surgical robotic. Company officers stated they hope for a launch this 12 months.

The da Vinci 5 will be a part of Intuitive’s present robotic surgical system portfolio, which incorporates the multiport X and Xi techniques and the single-port SP. The firm additionally presents Ion, a robotic-assisted platform for minimally invasive biopsy within the lung.

In a separate podcast, Rosa recognized two technological alternatives that he thinks are going to advance surgical robotics and minimally invasive surgical procedure in a significant manner: improved visualization for surgeons and focal remedy. Rosa stated these applied sciences make Intuitive a minimally invasive care firm.

Additional Intuitive protection:

Asensus Surgical: Building a next-gen system that may final

Seven years after its Senhance robotic surgical procedure system received FDA clearance, Asensus Surgical has unveiled its next-gen Luna platform. The firm struck a take care of Flex to fabricate Luna and is searching for an FDA clearance in 2025.

During DeviceTalks West 2023, Dustin Vaughan, vice chairman of analysis and growth at Asensus, described Luna’s enhancements. They included a 30% smaller footprint; absolutely articulated, reusable TrueWrist 5 mm devices; and a novel surgeon console and ergonomic advantages.

Asensus Surgical lately confirmed off Luna to surgeons. Here’s a video:

The years of growth behind Luna additionally included the creation of an instrument drive system, a desktop check system to allow extra instrument innovation.

According to Vaughan, one of many best challenges to beat when designing the system was to make sure that the platform may help the layering of latest, revolutionary instruments and software program not only for the subsequent 12 months, but additionally for the subsequent decade.

“We’ve seen how challenging this space is to get the capital equipment,” he stated. “As passionate as I am personally about robotics, it doesn’t change the fact that this will be the same system for many, many years. … You’ve got to get this right, because you’re going to look at it and develop on it for a very long time.”

CMR Surgical: A British Invasion for surgical robotics?

Over the previous 12 months, the Cambridge, U.Ok.–primarily based maker of the Versius surgical robotic system has launched a number of initiatives to set itself up for achievement:

“I think it has been a great year of trying to do what is good for the company,” Bose stated in a current interview with MassDevice. Bose, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Mark Slack, and co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Luke Hares will communicate at DeviceTalks Boston.

In 2023, CMR Surgical’s put in base grew 50% to 160, and annual surgical process numbers grew 60% to 17,000. Bose touted some great benefits of Versius, together with a smaller cellular design that permits it to be wheeled round well being amenities, an open console that permits surgeons to information their working room employees higher, and a extra inexpensive value level.

This 12 months, CMR Surgical plans to roll out enhancements in imaginative and prescient expertise, instrumentation, and digital merchandise to additional strengthen Versius’ worth.

Medtronic: Hugo continues to roll out internationally

The world’s largest medical system firm continues to broaden the usage of its Hugo soft-tissue surgical robotics system exterior the U.S. In 2023, Medtronic received the FDA’s permission to begin its pivotal trial for Hugo robotic-assisted hernia procedures. It additionally continued its Expand URO trial for prostatectomies.

Hugo combines wristed devices, 3D visualization, and Medtronic’s cloud-based surgical video seize and administration answer, Touch Surgery Enterprise. The thought is to supply a multi-quadrant platform for a variety of soppy tissue procedures.

“We expect Hugo, equipped with advanced digital capabilities, to be a meaningful growth driver for us in the years ahead,” stated CEO Geoff Martha throughout a November 2023 earnings name.

“We believe surgeon preference with our open console and modular design, our leading position in minimally invasive surgery and instrumentation, our connected digital ecosystem and data-enabled insights — along with our world-class surgical training program and partnerships — will meaningfully advance the low penetration of robotic surgery around the world,” he stated.

However, Medtronic has confronted questions over whether or not Hugo will be capable of compete in opposition to Intuitive’s da Vinci techniques domestically. BTIG analysts checked out the Hugo system throughout a convention in Montreal in March 2023, and remarked in a follow-up observe that they didn’t assume it was totally different sufficient from present choices.

“A vast number of surgeons want choice in their robotics system, and while we’re not discounting this, we think [Medtronic’s] entrance into the U.S. will be measured,” stated BTIG’s Ryan Zimmerman, Sam Durno and Iseult McMahon.

Meanwhile, Truist analysts famous in October 2023 that Medtronic’s Mazor is the primary to market with a bone-cutting utility, doubtlessly a primary step towards extra subtle tissue-removing backbone procedures.

Said Richard Newitter, Samuel Brodovsky, Benjamin Goldstein, and Lin Zhang at Truist: “This is the first bone-cutting application on the market and an important indication expansion as robotic technologies move to broader applicability in spine procedures beyond pedicle screw placement and working towards more sophisticated maneuvering deeper within the spine.”

Johnson & Johnson: Moving ahead on Ottava

For years, Johnson & Johnson officers have solely stated “stay tuned” when requested about plans for the corporate’s Ottava soft-tissue surgical robotics system, its bid to compete with Intuitive.

In November 2023, J&J lastly broke its silence, saying that it plans to submit Ottava for FDA investigational system exemption (IDE) within the second half of 2024 to provoke medical trials.

“We are well under way to be ready for the clinical study,” Abouhalka stated in December, including that the corporate plans to proceed innovating in robotics “for what’s next in surgery.”

Ottava incorporates 4 robotic arms right into a standard-size surgical desk, down from the six arms proven years in the past. Its unified structure permits for an invisible design, J&J stated. The robotic arms can be found when wanted and stowed beneath the surgical desk when not.

The system additionally presents a “twin motion” characteristic, with the unified motion of the desk and robotic arms. J&J designed it this technique to enable surgical groups to handle essential medical wants throughout surgical procedure. That may embody repositioning a affected person with out interrupting the process.

“With Ottava, we intend to drive simplicity and new experiences through our unique architecture,” Rocco De Bernardis, international president of Ottava, informed MassDevice.

Meanwhile, the corporate’s Monarch platform and Monarch bronchoscope lately obtained regulatory approval in China, the primary robot-assisted expertise from Johnson & Johnson MedTech to get authorized there.

In the ortho-robotic surgical procedure house, Velys system procedures are within the 1000’s. J&J’s DePuy Synthes orthopedic system enterprise boasted that Velys is a first-of-its-kind, table-mounted ortho surgical procedure robotic with an environment friendly design that integrates into any working room.

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Stryker: On monitor for brand new Mako functions

The world’s largest orthopedic system firm stated its Mako surgical robotic for orthopedic procedures continues to drive development.

During Stryker’s This fall earnings name close to the tip of January, firm officers stated the system had a file variety of installations globally in the course of the quarter. In the U.S., Stryker stated 60% of its knee alternative procedures and 34% of its hip replacements have been carried out utilizing Mako that 12 months.

Mako for backbone surgical procedure is coming within the third quarter of 2024, with Mako shoulder coming close to the tip of the 12 months.

In the center of 2023, Stryker introduced that it deliberate to spice up demand for Mako-supported surgical procedures much more with a direct-to-patient advertising and marketing marketing campaign within the U.S. known as “Scan. Plan. Mako Can.”

Stryker officers are additionally excited concerning the potential to make use of AI to raised analyze well being information to enhance surgical robotics outcomes in orthopedics.

Moon Surgical: A surgical robotics assistant

Based in Paris and San Carlos, Calif., Moon Surgical has taken a special method to robotic surgical procedure. Its Maestro system is a robotic surgical assistant, as a substitute of performing surgical procedures underneath a surgeon’s management. The firm‘s said purpose is to supply an accessible, enhanced model of conventional laparoscopy with extra precision and management.

The small, adaptable system can combine into present medical workflows, based on Moon Surgical. It options capabilities that bolster working room effectivity and permit for various labor fashions.

Maestro’s additional set of arms presents surgeons management of two further devices. It supplies optimum imaginative and prescient and entry to tissue all through the process, Moon Surgical says.

Moon Surgical in October 2023 noticed its first U.S. medical instances with an preliminary model of Maestro in Jacksonville, Fla. The subsequent month, it introduced profitable surgical procedures in France.

The firm has secured FDA 510(okay) clearance and a CE mark for Maestro.

Additional Moon Surgical protection:

Stereotaxis: A partnership with Abbott

Stereotaxis supplies surgical robotics that includes magnets for minimally invasive endovascular intervention. Its merchandise embody the Genesis RMN system, Vdrive robotic navigation system, and Niobe robotic magnetic navigation system.

The St. Louis, Mo.-based firm’s expertise has handled greater than 100,000 sufferers worldwide

Recent wins embody the first sufferers efficiently handled utilizing the corporate’s Magnetic Interventional Ablation Catheter (MAGiC). MAGiC is a robotically navigated magnetic ablation catheter designed to carry out minimally invasive cardiac ablation procedures. The first procedures occurred at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos in Lithuania.

Last 12 months, Stereotaxis solid a partnership with Abbott to combine the Abbott EnSite X EP system — a 3D coronary heart mapping system — with Stereotaxis’ robotic magnetic navigation techniques. Stereotaxis in October 2023 introduced the primary procedures performed underneath the partnership.

Distalmotion: Seeking continued industrial enlargement of Dexter

Switzerland-based Distalmotion is the developer of the Dexter surgical robotics system. Dexter simply integrates into medical apply, claimed the corporate. It requires no further infrastructure, matches into each medical setting and options mobility for sharing throughout departments. Institutions can then scale robotics packages throughout surgical disciplines, enhancing the usual of care, stated Distalmotion.

Currently in day-to-day medical use in Europe, Dexter treats sufferers throughout advanced and high-volume process sorts. That contains common surgical procedure, gynecology, and urology. Last 12 months, Distalmotion raised $150 million to push towards FDA approval, plus the continued acceleration of medical expertise in Europe. Zimmer Biomet and Stryker veteran Greg Roche joined as CEO close to the tip of the 12 months.

Distalmotion lately partnered with Proximie, which develops an working room working system that gives hospitals and surgical facilities entry to preoperative information that may assist inform affected person care — plus real-time collaborative instruments to file, prepare, and ship care.

Noah Medical: 500-case mark for Galaxy

Noah Medical lately introduced the five hundredth use of its Galaxy surgical robotic system for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy within the U.S.

The San Carlos, Calif.–primarily based firm designed Galaxy and its equipment to supply bronchoscopic visualization and entry. These capabilities present diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in affected person airways.

The system options superior imaging applied sciences that present real-time location updates for doubtlessly cancerous lesions. Noah Medical stated it designed the expertise to enhance tool-in-lesion and diagnostic yield.

Galaxy makes use of proprietary built-in tomosynthesis known as TiLT Technology. It permits augmented fluoroscopy with a disposable single-use bronchoscope with always-on imaginative and prescient, and a small, compact footprint that permits for straightforward integration into most bronchoscopy suites.

The firm introduced in April 2023 that it had raised $150 million in a Series B spherical.

Noah Medical CEO Jian Zhang in December 2023 shared his surgical robotics business outlook with MassDevice sibling web site Medical Design & Outsourcing.

Other surgical robotics firms we’re maintaining a tally of

• Procept BioRobotics is the developer of the AquaBeam robotic system, which it describes as an image-guided, heat-free robotic remedy for the remedy of decrease urinary tract signs as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In September 2023, the San Jose, Calif.-based firm introduced an FDA IDE for its Aquablation remedy. Intuitive co-founder Dr. Fred Moll has been the board chair since 2021.
• Vicarious Surgical’s expertise combines proprietary human-like surgical robots with 3D visualization to move surgeons contained in the affected person to carry out minimally invasive surgical procedure. The Waltham, Mass.–primarily based firm’s expertise has generated numerous buzz prior to now, however final 12 months noticed the corporate push again timelines for its Version 1.0 system and interact in layoffs. The firm lately introduced on Olympus and Flex veteran ​​Randy Clark as president, reporting to co-founder and CEO Adam Sachs.
• Momentus Surgical, previously Memic Innovative Surgery, developed the Anovo system that featured miniature humanoid-shaped arms. CTech reported that there have been layoffs on the Tel, Aviv, Israel–primarily based firm final 12 months.
• Zimmer Biomet’s Rosa surgical robotics techniques for mind, hip and complete knee procedures are a part of the corporate’s total ZBEdge digital and robotic expertise suite. Liane Teplitsky, robotics, expertise and information president of the firm, provided information integration recommendation and recognized alternatives past orthopedics in an interview with Medical Design & Outsourcing final 12 months.
• Smith+Nephew presents its Cori surgical system for knee and hip surgical procedures. It features a 3D intraoperative imaging system and a sophisticated robotic sculpting device.
• Monteris Medical is a privately held firm primarily based in Minnetonka, Minn., that develops magnetic resonance-guided ablation techniques to carry out minimally invasive, robotically managed mind surgical procedure.
• Ronovo Surgical in Shanghai unveiled its Carina robotic platform a 12 months in the past. Carina, a modular system constructed on proprietary expertise, permits configurable robotic help for laparoscopic surgical procedures throughout a number of specialties.
• EndoQuest Robotics — a Houston-based endoluminal surgical robotic expertise developer — introduced in December 2023 that it closed a C-1 most well-liked financing spherical value $42 million in proceeds. The firm designed its platform to handle unmet wants in gastrointestinal and different endoluminal surgical procedures. It lately partnered with Omnivision on visualization for robotic surgical procedure.
• MMI (Medical Microinstruments) is the developer of the Symani surgical robotics system for microsurgery and supermicrosurgery. The Pisa, Italy–primarily based firm is led by Mark Toland, the previous CEO of Corindus Vascular Robotics. The system has a CE mark in Europe. In October, MMI announced two distribution agreements masking almost a dozen nations within the Asia Pacific area.
• Levita Magnetics in December 2023 introduced the worldwide launch of its MARS (magnetic-assisted robotic surgical procedure) system with its placement at Hospital Luis Tisne in Santiago, Chile. The MARS system was additionally lately used for its first U.S. industrial instances on the Cleveland Clinic. Mountain View, Calif.-based Levita designed the MARS platform for high-volume belly surgical procedures comparable to laparoscopic bariatric surgical procedures, cholecystectomies, and prostate and colorectal procedures.
• Virtuoso Surgical has an endoscopic surgical system that it stated delivers two robotically managed, needle-sized manipulators that work from the tip of a inflexible endoscope lower than half the diameter of a U.S. dime. The Nashville, Tenn.-based firm introduced in November 2023 that it had obtained a $1.8 million NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant.
• Quantum Surgical introduced in September 2023 that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) licensed its Epione surgical robotic in China. News of the regulatory nod got here simply weeks after Montpellier, France–primarily based Quantum secured a CE mark enlargement for Epione to deal with lung tumors. The percutaneous ablation system makes use of a robotic arm, a navigation system, and a digicam. It inserts a needle by way of the pores and skin to the tumor and destroys it.
• Medicaroid is a Japan-based surgical robotics firm that has developed the Hinotori system, which obtained regulatory approval in Japan in 2020 and launched the identical 12 months. The system final 12 months obtained regulatory approval in Singapore.
• Triton Medical Robotics (Neptune Medical) is taking the Dynamic Rigidization expertise developed at Neptune and utilizing it to develop a completely versatile medical robotic to allow medical doctors to succeed in deep into human anatomy. In late 2023, Neptune Medical introduced that it had appointed Moll as its board chair.

Editor’s notes: Associate Editor Sean Whooley contributed to this text, which was syndicated from MassDevice, a sibling web site to The Robot Report.

There will probably be loads of surgical robotics displays at WTWH Media’s DeviceTalks Boston occasion, which will probably be co-located with the Robotics Summit & Expo. Registration is now open.