Medtronic expands global access to the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery

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Oct 19, 2022, 08:30 ET

Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgery system regulatory approval in Japan provides access to third largest robotics market in the world while general surgery approval in the EU and Canada open fast-growing hernia specialty

DUBLIN, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), 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.^2-4,†

Together, general surgery, urology, and gynecology account for more than 80% of all RAS procedures performed globally.¹ 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.¹Japan is the third-largest RAS market in the world today.¹

"Receiving these important approvals paves the way for our expansion into key robotic markets," said Mike Marinaro, senior vice president and president, Surgical Robotics, 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."

The Hugo RAS system is commercially available in certain geographies. Regulatory requirements and status in individual countries and regions will determine market availability of the Hugo RAS system and approved indications. In the U.S., the Hugo RAS system is an investigational device not for sale.

For more information, visit medtronic.com/hugo.

†Compared to open surgery.
‡Touch Surgery™ Enterprise is not intended to direct surgery, or aid in diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition.

Based on internal estimates and Medtronic report, FY20 market model: procedural volume data.
Fitch K, Engel T, Bochner A. Cost differences between open and minimally invasive surgery. Managed Care. 2015;24(9):40–48.
Tiwari MM, Reynoso JF, High R, Tsang AW, Oleynikov D. Safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of common laparoscopic procedures. Surg Endosc. 2011;25(4):1127-1135.
Roumm AR, Pizzi L, Goldfarb NI, Cohn H. Minimally invasive: minimally reimbursed? An examination of six laparoscopic surgical procedures. Surg Innov. 2005;12(3):261–287.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, 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. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.