Robotic Surgery

With redeployment of older Xi systems creating new cost tier options for hospitals, Intuitive added 340 employees last quarter across commercial, engineering and manufacturing. Next year, it plans to shift to a direct sales model in Italy, Spain and Portugal as part of a regional realignment.

C-suite executives from Stryker, Intuitive Surgical and Fresenius passed a mainly upbeat verdict on the Indian medtech market and industry.

J&J announced the separation of its orthopedics unit into a stand-alone company. The firm as a whole expects sales growth of over 5% in 2026. Gabelli analyst Jennie Tsai foresees more consolidation in orthopedics led by Zimmer Biomet, Stryker and DePuy as well as more acquisitions.

At the MedTech Conference, the CEOs of Stryker, Hologic and Insulet said during a panel AI is now central to their business strategies, from creating new medical devices to streamlining workflows and administrative tasks. Stryker’s CEO Kevin Lobo plans a business unit focused on AI-enabled tech.

After receiving US FDA clearance and reporting first successful use at Mayo Clinic, the Silicon Valley start-up plans to partner with leading centers to transform needle-based procedures with its robotic system starting with urology, then expand into other specialties, the CEO said.

Microbot wins FDA nod for Liberty, Medtronic’s Hugo showed positive results in hernia repair in clinical studies, Obvius Robotics reports first human procedure with CERTA, Ronovo closes a $67m financing round with JJDC, and Quantum expands Epione CE marking to bone tumors.

The value proposition of surgical robots is quickly changing. Gone is the focus on benefit to patients; instead cost, operative efficiency and surgeon longevity are the new focal points, making deciphering M&A value much more difficult.

Medtronic beat first-quarter revenue and EPS estimates, raised guidance, and added two board members and special committees as Elliott takes a stake.

AI-driven medtech M&A slowed slightly in volume but tripled in value in early 2025, with buyers focusing on AI-driven diagnostics, surgical tech and analytics. Industry experts expect continued high-value deals as firms defend market share and pursue workflow-enhancing AI.

Fresh off an IPO, spinal implant maker Carlsmed is preparing to launch a new cervical fusion application for its aprevo tech. Medtech Insight has two perspectives on these recent moves: CEO Mike Cordonnier and the doctor who performed the first spinal fusion using the technology.

Zimmer Biomet expects the Monogram deal to meet its financial and strategic criteria, be neutral to adjusted earnings per share from 2025 through 2027 and become accretive thereafter.

HistoSonics’ CEO Michael Blue describes the deal as a win-win for all stakeholders and plans to use the money to expand clinical indications, as well as the global reach, for its Edison system.

J&J’s global head of MedTech Digital envisions AI-powered connected operating suites within a decade. In an interview with Medtech Insight, Shan Jegatheeswaran discusses how J&J, together with partners like NVIDIA and AWS, is laying the foundation for open platforms for standardized surgeries.

Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital have launched Swan Endosurgical in a $458m milestone-based joint venture to develop a robotic platform for endoluminal surgery. The deal combines Olympus’ GI expertise with Revival’s start-up model, but will face technical and regulatory hurdles.

For the full year, the company now expects tariffs to increase the cost of sales by approximately 1% of revenue, plus or minus 20 basis points. This is lower than the previous estimate of approximately 1.7% of revenue. The updated gross margin guidance for 2025 is 66%-67%, up from 65%-66.5%.

ForSight Robotics is developing a robotic platform to automate cataract and other eye surgeries, aiming to ease surgeon strain and expand access. Backed by $200m in total funding, it's targeting a first human surgery using Oryom by year-end and is in discussions with US FDA.

A surgeon at Ochsner Health in New Orleans was able to successfully remove a rare and dangerous tumor from a patient’s spine using cutting-edge technology that would have otherwise made the procedure too risky.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have used a robotic system to autonomously perform a key part of gallbladder surgery without a surgeon's hand. Lead author Axel Krieger says it could take five to 10 years before an autonomous robotic system will reach human trials and expects regulatory hurdles.

Leaders of robotic systems companies Distalmotion, Neocis and Noah Medical discussed success metrics, competition and funding. Institutional investors are focusing on utilization, procedure rates and a clear path to profitability as the IPO window reopens, BTIG analyst Ryan Zimmerman said.

Medtronic is teaming up with IRCAD North America to build high-tech training and education experiences for surgeons and medical professionals in cardiovascular, neuroscience, and minimally invasive surgical specialties. The move could also further position Medtronic to seize on the growing robotics