Robotic Surgery Advancements and Financial Updates in MedTech Industry

Medical technology companies are making significant strides in robotic surgery applications, particularly in neurology and cardiology. Meanwhile, economic pressures are influencing capital spending decisions in the healthcare sector.

MMI's Robotic Platform Targets Alzheimer's Disease

Medical Microinstruments (MMI) has received FDA approval for an investigational device exemption to study a microsurgical intervention for Alzheimer's disease using its Symani robotic platform. The REMIND study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of improving drainage of neurotoxins from the brain in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who have obstruction in the deep cervical lymph nodes.

The study's primary endpoint focuses on device-related serious adverse events within 30 days post-procedure, with additional endpoints including biomarker and imaging changes, and cognitive assessments through six months. MMI's Symani system, which combines microinstruments with tremor-reducing technology, is designed to enable surgeons to manipulate delicate lymphatic vessels as small as 0.2 millimeters in diameter.

This development follows MMI's recent completion of initial cases in a feasibility trial for restoring blood supply to the brain in patients with Moyamoya disease. The company is collaborating with research institutions in the U.S. and Europe to begin patient enrollment in the Alzheimer's study.

SS Innovations Advances Telesurgery with Compact Console

SS Innovations International has successfully conducted the first telesurgery using a compact version of its SSi Mantra surgeon command center. CEO Sudhir Srivastava performed a coronary artery bypass surgery remotely from New Delhi on a patient located approximately 185 miles away at Manipal Hospital in Jaipur, India.

The new SSi Mantra Tele Surgeon Console is a smaller, more portable version of the company's flagship platform, designed to facilitate telesurgeries from various locations, including physicians' offices. This advancement is expected to increase patient access to surgical expertise.

SS Innovations plans to submit a 510(k) application for the SSi Mantra platform to the FDA in the fourth quarter. The system has already been used in over 6,500 surgeries in countries where it has received approval.

Procept BioRobotics Reports Growth Amid Economic Uncertainties

Procept BioRobotics announced a 43% increase in third-quarter revenue, reaching $83.3 million. The company attributed this growth to higher shipments of its robotic systems to new hospital customers, with the U.S. installed base growing by 58 systems to a total of 653.

Despite the positive revenue growth, Procept reported a net loss of $21.4 million for the quarter. The company projects full-year 2026 revenue between $410 million and $430 million, representing a 26% to 32% increase from expected 2025 revenue.

CEO Larry Wood noted that some large U.S. hospital systems are scrutinizing capital spending more carefully due to evolving macroeconomic conditions. In response, Procept is focusing on improving procedure utilization with its existing systems and expanding in international markets. The company recently received FDA clearance for its next-generation Hydros robotic system in August 2024.