UK-based medical devices company, CMR Surgical (CMR) has launched Versius Surgical Robotic System at Clinique du Parc Hospital in Saint-Etienne, France.

Versius will provide technology that can support the use of robotic minimal access surgery (MAS), otherwise known as keyhole surgery.

WHY IT MATTERS

Across France, over 1,500 hospitals currently perform MAS, yet only 6% of medium-sized public hospitals have a robotic surgery department.

Versius can be moved and used in any operating room, allowing a single system at Clinique du Parc to be used to perform up to 300 cases every year, making surgical robotics more routinely available.

MAS is associated with better outcomes for patients and shorter hospital stays compared to open surgery – two factors that are increasingly important in minimising exposure to COVID-19.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Given the highly infectious nature of COVID-19, minimising human contact has been integral to slowing down the spread of the virus.

The introduction of robotic technologies has been welcomed as a way to perform repetitive tasks that reduce infection for healthcare workers and alleviate the work burden. For instance, Brain Navi developed a nasal swab test robot recently to safely collect patient samples.

In January, Southmead Hospital partnered with Bristol Robotics Laboratory to look at how socially assistive robots could improve patient care.

ON THE RECORD

Per Vegard Nerseth, chief executive officer of Cambridge-based CMR Surgical said: “France is one of the largest surgical robotics markets in the world and we are delighted to be launching Versius into such a highly influential region. In Versius we have created a unique system with the potential to radically transform surgery – making the best surgical care more accessible than ever before.

“Over the past year CMR has seen global interest in Versius increase exponentially and today is another important step forward as we continue to bring this pioneering technology to surgeons and hospitals across Europe and beyond.”

Karine Giroudon, division director at C2S and manager of Clinique du Parc, said: “The arrival of Versius is a remarkable opportunity for Clinique du Parc - the first hospital in France to benefit from this exceptional technology. Versius’ versatility and the fact that it is easily transportable means we have complete flexibility.

“Unlike anything before it, Versius can be used many times a day, in different theatres and by teams working across multiple disciplines such as gastroenterology, urology and gynaecology. Our surgical teams are leading the way in the use of this surgical tool, allowing us to offer the benefits of MAS to more patients than ever before.”