Robotic Surgical Systems Advance with Clinical Trials from EndoQuest and Virtuoso

EndoQuest Robotics and Virtuoso Surgical have both made significant strides in their development of robotic surgical systems, with each company initiating clinical trials for their respective technologies. These advancements mark important milestones in the field of minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic procedures.

EndoQuest Robotics Begins Pivotal Trial for Endoluminal System

EndoQuest Robotics, a Houston-based company, has successfully completed the first procedures in its pivotal trial for its endoluminal robotic surgery system. The trial, known as the Paradigm study, is being conducted at HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center, where two endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedures were performed on complex lesions in the rectum and sigmoid colon.

The EndoQuest system is designed to navigate through natural body openings, potentially reducing the need for more invasive surgical techniques. The technology aims to address the challenges associated with ESD, a procedure that removes lesions under the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite its benefits, ESD has not been widely adopted in the United States due to its technical difficulty.

Dr. Todd Wilson, Chief Medical Officer of EndoQuest, stated that the company's robotic system is intended to "address challenges with the surgery, allowing more physicians to adopt the technique in place of more invasive procedures such as colectomies."

The Paradigm study will enroll 50 patients across five U.S. centers, including prestigious institutions such as Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, AdventHealth, and HCA Houston. EndoQuest received an investigational device exemption (IDE) from the FDA in December to study the system for colorectal lesion removal.

Virtuoso Surgical Completes First Cases in Bladder Lesion Excision Trial

Virtuoso Surgical, based in Nashville, Tennessee, has also made progress with its robotic endoscopy system. The company successfully performed bladder lesion excision in six patients during the pilot phase of its Viable trial at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The Virtuoso system features two needle-sized manipulators that work from the tip of an endoscope, enabling surgeons to use both hands for precise maneuvers deep within the body. This technology aims to improve surgical techniques for lesion removal in suspected bladder cancer cases.

CEO Duke Herrell announced the successful procedures on LinkedIn, highlighting the potential of the robotic technology to enhance minimally invasive surgical capabilities. Virtuoso Surgical is now planning to submit an IDE application to the FDA for studying the system's use in the United States.

These developments from both EndoQuest and Virtuoso underscore the ongoing innovation in robotic surgical systems, particularly in the realm of endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures. As these technologies progress through clinical trials, they have the potential to expand treatment options and improve outcomes for patients requiring complex surgical interventions.