Medtronic’s Hugo robot gains approval in Canada

DUBLIN, Ireland – Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader, has announced three significant global market-entrance and indication expansion approvals for its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system.

The approvals include:

• Conformité Européenne (CE) Mark clearance for general surgery indication;
• Health Canada licence for general laparoscopic surgery indication; and
• Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) approval for urologic surgical and gynecologic laparoscopic indications in Japan.

The new system approvals and indications set the stage for significant access across Europe, North America, and Asia – extending the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to new global audiences.

As a form of minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted procedures offer patients fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to normal activities.

Together, general surgery, urology, and gynecology account for more than 80% of all RAS procedures performed globally, the company said in a news release.

General surgery is the fastest growing segment within robotic surgery. It encompasses several different surgical specialties including hernia repair, the fourth most common surgery performed globally. Japan is the third-largest RAS market in the world today.

“Receiving these important approvals paves the way for our expansion into key robotic markets,” said Mike Marinaro, senior vice president and president, Surgical Robotics (pictured), which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic. “The Hugo RAS system was designed to address the barriers to robotic surgery adoption, and these approvals are significant steps in bringing the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to more patients in more places around the world.”

Medtronic’s expansion into surgical robotics represents a significant growth opportunity for the company and builds on its more than 60 years of experience in surgical and healthcare innovation in partnership with clinicians around the world.

The Hugo RAS system, combined with Touch Surgery Enterprise, offers a smart, digitally enabled surgical experience, and is already being used in general surgery procedures at hospitals in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions. The procedures range from common to more complex and include cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, gastric bypass, and lower anterior resection.

A modular system, Hugo combines wristed instruments, 3D visualization, and Medtronic’s Touch Surgery Enterprise, a cloud-based surgical video capture and management solution, with dedicated support teams specializing in robotics program optimization, service, and training. Touch Surgery Enterprise is a first-of-its-kind AI-powered platform that makes sharing surgical video simple and provides surgeons with a powerful new training tool.

“These regulatory approvals are a major step in expanding the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to patients around the world. We truly believe that AI-assisted robotic surgery will transform the operating room,” said Dr. Carla Peron, chief medical officer, Surgical Robotics at Medtronic. “Our team is thrilled to begin partnering with more surgeons and customers to help build and grow their robotic surgery programs in this hugely important area of healthcare.”

For more information, visit medtronic.com/hugo.

About Medtronic
Medtronic, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission – to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life – unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.