PUMA 560, the world's first surgical robot, was used in a brain biopsy procedure in 1985 to reduce hand tremors. But it has only been during the past twenty years that robot-assisted surgical procedures have become more commonplace—a trend that is expected to take off over the coming years.
There has also been a resurgence in remote robotic procedures due to Covid-19 and resulting staff shortages. Thanks to 5G networks and reduced latency times between the operating surgeon and the remote patient, patients can be operated on from a different hospital or even a different country.
Examples of robot-assisted surgical procedures
Surgical robots allow human surgeons to carry out procedures that would generally be performed as open operations, allowing patients to recover faster. Robotic surgery is also often used to make complex procedures easier to perform. Here are some common examples:
- Kidney transplant
- Kidney removal
- Robotic kidney surgery
- Gallbladder removal
- Single-site robotic gallbladder surgery
- Robotic prostate surgery
- Hysterectomy
- Head-and-neck surgery
- Joint replacement surgery
- Robotic colorectal surgery
- Robotic coronary artery bypass
- Robotic cardiac surgery
- Robot-assisted cancer surgery
Some interesting figures
- 17% of all general surgeries were carried out using robot-assisted procedures in 2022, up from 1.8% in 2012.
- The annual growth rate of surgery procedures performed by robots is 15%.
- 84.2% of urological procedures are robotic in the UK.
- Worldwide, there are currently 1 million minimally invasive robotic surgeries, which will more than double by 2025.
- The surgical robotics market is expected to reach $22.7 billion in 2030, thanks to novel technology, new market players, and disruptive business models.
Surgical robotics companies
It's safe to say the surgical robotics market is growing. As it does, more companies are competing with each other and developing technologies. For example, last year, Johnson & Johnson revealed they were working on a competitor to Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system—which was the only name associated with surgical robots ten years ago.
Here's our (non-exhaustive) list of 24 of the most exciting companies working in the surgical robotics space.
1. Accuray
Accuray -specialises in robotic radiosurgery with its CyberKnife system, used for non-invasive treatment of tumours anywhere in the body. The system delivers high-dose radiation with sub-millimeter precision.
2. Asensus Surgical
Asensus Surgical is known for the Senhance Surgical System, which emphasises haptic feedback, eye-tracking camera control, and digital laparoscopy to increase surgeon control and precision. (note: Asensus is being acquired by Karl Storz in 2024)
3. Brainlab
Brainlab focuses on neurosurgical robotics with systems like Loop-X and Cirq, offering robotic assistance in spine surgery and precise image-guided surgical procedures.
4. CMR Surgical
CMR Surgical developed the Versius surgical robot, which is compact and versatile, designed to make robotic surgery more accessible and affordable for hospitals worldwide.
5. EndoQuest Robotics
EndoQuest Robotics developed the Flexible Robotic Surgical System, an endoluminal robotic surgical system, allowing surgeons to perform upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery less invasively through a trans-oral or trans-anal approach.
6. Ethicon
Ethicon - A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon, through its acquisition of Auris Health, offers the Monarch Platform, a robotic bronchoscopy system that enables precise and minimally invasive lung biopsies. It's significant for early lung cancer diagnosis.
7. Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical - Creator of the da Vinci Surgical System, a market leader in robotic-assisted surgery used in various specialties including urology, gynecology, and general surgery. Over 8.5 million surgeries have been performed using this system.
8. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is developing the OTTAVA surgical robot through its Ethicon division (see above). It aims to compete directly with the da Vinci system in minimally invasive surgery. Clinical trials are targeted for 2024.
9. Medicaroid
Medicaroid has developed hinotori, a robotic-assisted surgery system to reproduce a surgeon's sensitive movement. It has eight-axis operation arms that move smoothly and reduce arm-to-arm or arm-to-assistant interference to make surgery smoother.
10. Medtronic
Medtronic—A major player in the medical device industry, Medtronic offers the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery platform. It is designed to be modular and versatile and cater to multiple surgical specialties.
11. Microsure
Microsure innovates in microsurgery with its MUSA robotic system, which enhances the precision of surgeons performing delicate microsurgical procedures like lymphatic and nerve surgery.
12. Monteris Medical
Monteris Medical focuses on MRI-guided robotic laser ablation with its NeuroBlate System, used for minimally invasive brain surgery, particularly in treating tumors and epilepsy.
13. Neocis
Neocis developed Yomi as the first and only robot-assisted technology for dental surgery. During implant surgery, it eliminates the need for a surgical guide but maintains accuracy. It also prevents drill deviation or over-drilling past a pre-planned depth to avoid critical anatomies such as nerves or the sinus cavity.
14. Noah Medical
Noah Medical develops flexible robotic platforms for lung biopsies and other interventional pulmonology procedures, advancing minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment.
15. PROCEPT BioRobotics
PROCEPT BioRobotics innovates in the field of urology with the AquaBeam Robotic System, which uses water jet technology for minimally invasive prostate surgery.
16. Renishaw
Renishaw -specialises in neurosurgical robotics and precision medicine, offering products like the neuromate stereotactic robot, used for electrode placement in deep brain stimulation and biopsies.
17. Revo Surgical
Revo Surgical - Part of the meerecompany group, it offers the Revo-i surgical robot, which provides a comprehensive laparoscopic robotic surgery environment tailored to the needs of surgeons.
18. Siemens Healthineers
Siemens Healthineers integrates robotic systems into broader diagnostic and therapeutic platforms, including vascular surgery system, through its acquisition of Corindus.
19. Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew - A key player in orthopedic robotic surgery, particularly known for its CORI Surgical System, which assists in partial and total knee replacements.
20. Stryker
Stryker focuses on orthopedic robotic surgery with its Mako system, which is widely used for hip and knee replacements. It offers enhanced accuracy and patient outcomes.
21. Think Surgical
Think Surgical - Known for the TMINI system, a robotic-assisted system for orthopedic surgery that provides an open platform for joint replacement surgeries, allowing precise planning and execution.
22. Virtual Incision
Virtual Incision has developed MIRA, a miniaturised robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) platform. It allows the surgeon to set up the operating room in minutes without ever needing to drape, dock, or move heavy equipment.
23. Xact Robotics
Xact Robotics specialises in image-guided percutaneous procedures with its ACE robotic system that enables precise needle placements for biopsies and other interventions.
24. Zimmer Biomet
Zimmer Biomet offers the ROSA Robotics System, a robotic platform for knee, hip and shoulder surgeries, and is expanding its portfolio to include spine and cranial applications.
Conclusion
The companies listed in this blog may differ widely; however, they share common goals. First, they seek to provide patients with better outcomes and reduced recovery times. Second, they aim to assist surgeons in carrying out complex procedures by giving them more accuracy and information. Lastly, they try to reduce the costs of medical treatment by providing flexible and configurable solutions.
Editor's note: this post was originally published in May 2022, and republished in August 2024 for accuracy.
