Medtronic Expands AI and Robotics Hub, Virtuoso Surgical Receives FDA Breakthrough Designation

Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, has announced a significant expansion of its London office, doubling both its size and workforce. This move establishes the company's largest global digital center for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in surgery. Meanwhile, Virtuoso Surgical has received FDA breakthrough device designation for its robotic system designed for bladder lesion removal.

Medtronic's Enhanced AI and Robotics Center

Medtronic's expanded London facility, now spanning 25,000 square feet, will house over 200 employees dedicated to advancing AI and robotics in surgical applications. The Medtronic Centre of Digital Excellence, as it is known, focuses on developing specialized computing and software for hospital operating rooms.

Key features of the expanded center include:

• A mock robotic operating theater for on-site testing of new technologies
• Capabilities for surgical team planning, learning, and collaboration
• Secure livestreaming for expert consultation
• Development of AI-powered real-time decision support for surgeons

The center has already launched hundreds of AI algorithms to assist surgeons with post-operative analytics. This expansion builds on Medtronic's local partnerships in research and design of robotic-assisted surgery capabilities.

Medtronic's Hugo soft tissue robotic system is currently available in more than 30 countries, including the UK. The company anticipates entering the U.S. market with Hugo later in its current fiscal year, which concludes in April 2026.

Virtuoso Surgical's Breakthrough in Bladder Cancer Treatment

Virtuoso Surgical has achieved a significant milestone with the FDA granting breakthrough device designation to its robotic system for bladder lesion removal using en bloc resection. This technique, which removes the specimen intact, offers several advantages over standard bladder tumor resection:

• Increased accuracy in cancer staging
• More definitive diagnoses
• Potential for lower cancer recurrence rates

While en bloc resection has shown promise when performed manually, its complexity has limited widespread adoption. Virtuoso Surgical's robotic system aims to facilitate broader use of this technique by simplifying the approach for surgeons.

The Virtuoso system employs needle-sized robotic arms, designed to enhance surgeons' dexterity and precision during complex procedures. These miniaturized manipulators allow access to previously unreachable areas of the body, potentially expanding the range of minimally invasive surgical options.

In May, Virtuoso reported the successful use of its system in bladder lesion excision for six patients during the pilot phase of the Viable trial at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The FDA's breakthrough device program is expected to accelerate the development, assessment, and review process for this innovative technology.