This evaluation marks the latest milestone for the company’s new system over the past year. Asensus first unveiled the next-generation robot in February of last year. The integrated digital surgery solution features a next-generation surgical platform and instruments, plus real-time intraoperative clinical intelligence. Its final component, a secure cloud platform, applies machine learning to deliver clinical insights.
Luna features a dextrous 5mm TrueWrist instrument range, a unique surgeon console and ergonomic benefits. It has up to four independent robotic manipulator arms for procedural flexibility, alongside a unique instrument drive system supporting various advanced instrumentation options.
In August, Asensus outlined a timeline for Luna, which includes expected FDA clearance in 2025. The company inked a manufacturing deal for the platform in November as well.
President and CEO Anthony Fernando told MassDevice in an interview that Luna enables Asensus’ vision of performance-guided surgery.
More about the latest milestone for the Asensus Luna platform
During the week of Dec. 11, 2023, Asensus hosted a surgeon lab in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Surgeons conducted an in vivo evaluation of Luna’s hardware, software and instruments in porcine models. The lab allowed nine participating surgeons to look at the system’s functionality through 13 different procedures. Those procedures ranged across gynecology, urology and general surgery.
Dr. Amit Trivedi, chair of the Dept. of Surgery at Pascack Valley Medical Center in New Jersey, highlighted the system’s “impressive arm range of motion and instrument dexterity” in a news release.
Trivedi said doctors saw an “essential” level of surgical precision, with the TrueWrist instruments’ strength and reliability standing out. Additionally, Trivedi highlighted the ergonomic design and easy patient access.
“The surgeon lab represents a crucial phase in the Luna development journey,” Fernando said. “The positive response from the participating surgeons reaffirms our commitment to further developing and delivering a surgical robotic system that not only meets but exceeds expectations. The insights gathered will contribute to the refinement of this late-stage engineering prototype, moving us closer to a finalized product.
“We will provide further details on Luna’s development and regulatory submission timeline during our upcoming earnings call to be scheduled to report on the fourth quarter and year-end 2023.”
Asensus provided a video of the Luna system in use:
