Dr. Jihad Kaouk, Cleveland Clinic’s robotic surgery chair, successfully completed a robotic-assisted prostatectomy, with the patient discharged the day after surgery. (Kaouk and his team were previously part of the Expand URO investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical study for Hugo.)
“This case exemplifies Cleveland Clinic’s mission to lead surgical innovation and expand access to minimally invasive surgery,” Kaouk said in a news release. “The new technology allows us to customize the approach for each patient case.”
Late last year, Medtronic secured FDA clearance for Hugo’s use in urologic procedures, marking the medtech giant’s entrance into a U.S. soft-tissue surgical robotics market long dominated by Intuitive.
“We are excited that the first commercial case in the U.S. using the Hugo RAS system has been successfully completed by Dr. Kaouk and his team. Their pioneering spirit and collaboration reflect our shared vision that with new technology, like Hugo, more patients can access the benefits of minimally invasive surgery,” Rajit Kamal, VP and GM of Robotic Surgical Technologies within the Surgical business of Medtronic, said in a news release.
“The future of surgery isn’t about robotics as a separate modality, it’s about technology that enables surgical teams to deliver the best possible care for every patient. Medtronic is uniquely positioned to do that as the only company in the world that can partner with surgeons and hospitals across open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgery.”
In addition to Cleveland Clinic, Duke University Hospital and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center are among the first hospitals in the U.S. to install the Hugo RAS system. (Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center is the first U.S. hospital to install Hugo system that was not part of the IDE clinical study.
While discussing Medtronic’s third-quarter earnings this morning, CEO Geoff Martha sounded bullish about Hugo: “We are planning to expand into additional indications in the U.S., like hernia, part of our broader general surgery indication, where this system really shines. Customers really value having a partner that spans the full continuum of surgical care. And Medtronic is the only company that has approved offerings across open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries, which matters as hospitals build and expand their surgical practices.”
More on Medical Design & Outsourcing:
