Cambridge, UK-based CMR Surgical called Royal Papworth “one of the world’s leading cardiothoracic hospitals.” It also serves as the UK’s main heart and lung transplant center. It’s now set to become the first hospital in the UK to use Versius for thoracic procedures.
CMR Surgical designed Versius to enable surgeons to perform more minimal access surgery. The company says this offers patients “access to the highest quality of surgical care.” Its minimally invasive approach assists surgeons accessing the lungs, thymus and esophagus.
Through small incisions in patients’ ribs, thoracic surgeons can work precisely and accurately in the chest cavity with Versius. It features small, fully wristed instruments and 3D vision. The surgical robot’s small and modular design allows for setup that gives the surgeon optimal rib cage access.
Royal Papworth plans for its team to undergo CMR Surgical’s Versius training program. First cases at the hospital are due to begin this spring.
“Our vision is to provide tomorrow’s treatment to today’s patients, and purchasing this Versius robot does just that, representing a significant investment in patient care,” said Tim Glenn, CFO and deputy chief executive at Royal Papworth. “We are delighted to be working with our Cambridge neighbors at CMR Surgical.”
More about CMR Surgical and the Versius surgical robot
Surgeons across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia & Latin America use Versius, the company says. CMR announced the completion of 5,000 surgeries around the world in 2022.
In June 2021, the surgical robotics developer raised $600 million in a Series D financing round. In November, the company partnered with Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon to sell Versius in select markets. Just last week, CMR surgical named Supratim Bose as its new CEO.
Versius features freedom of port placement. This best suits the needs of each patient, allowing surgeons to operate the way they did laparoscopically, but with the benefits of robotic surgery, according to the company. Its small, lightweight design enables effortless movement.
CMR Surgical features on our list of surgical robotics companies you need to know.
Versius’ small-scale design optimizes it for any virtually any OR, CMR Surgical said. Its collaborative arms and bedside units offer adjustability to provide direct access to the patient.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the world-class surgeons and surgical teams at Royal Papworth as the first to use Versius in thoracic surgery in the UK,” said Mark Slack, CMR Surgical chief medical officer. “Versius was designed to make the benefits of minimal access surgery available to more patients around the world, and we’re thrilled that thoracic patients in the UK will now be able to access to this type of treatment.
“We look forward to working with Royal Papworth on bringing the benefits of this technology to as many patients as possible.”
