CMR Surgical Ltd. recently announced a significant milestone: more than 30,000 surgical cases have been completed using its Versius system. This achievement solidifies the company’s position as the second most-used soft-tissue surgical robot on the market. Based in Cambridge, U.K., CMR Surgical has been at the forefront of developing innovative surgical technologies that are transforming healthcare.

Massimiliano Colella, the new CEO of CMR Surgical, expressed his pride in reaching this milestone. “We are proud that over 30,000 patients around the world have now benefited from Versius, as we continue to grow and deliver against our mission of transforming surgery for good,” Colella stated. “This milestone is thanks to the surgeons and hospitals who have adopted Versius with the aim of improving patient care and our dedicated employees who are committed to giving our customers the best experience.”

Versius Surgical System: Precision and Versatility

Founded in 2014, CMR Surgical designed the Versius system to fit seamlessly into any operating room and integrate with existing workflows for minimal access surgery (MAS). The system’s portability and modular design allow surgeons to use only the number of arms needed for a given procedure, making it a versatile tool for various surgical needs.

Versius is designed to assist surgeons with minimally invasive procedures involving the lungs, thymus, and esophagus. The system won clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2024, marking a significant step forward in its availability to American patients.

Biomimicry and Precision

Versius mimics the human arm, enabling surgeons to optimize port placement for each patient. The system offers the dexterity and accuracy of small, fully wristed instruments, which are essential for delicate surgical procedures. The collaborative arms and bedside units provide direct patient access, ensuring that surgeons can perform procedures with the utmost precision.

The Versius Surgical System is designed to control a variety of endoscopic instruments, including rigid endoscopes, endoscopic dissectors, scissors, and forceps. It is also compatible with needle holders, electrosurgery, and accessories for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, such as grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrosurgery, and suturing.

Enhancements and Innovations

Early last year, CMR Surgical launched vLimeLite, an integrated fluorescence imaging system that works with its Versius Plus surgical robot. This system helps surgeons visually assess blood flow, vessels, and related tissue perfusion, as well as biliary anatomy. The company also introduced the Ultrasonic Dissector late last year, which is CE- and UKCA-marked for certification in Europe and the U.K.

These enhancements are part of CMR Surgical’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. The company aims to provide surgeons with the best tools available to enhance patient outcomes and reduce surgical risks.

Benefits of Versius

Versius’ open surgeon console reduces stress and fatigue, allowing for clear communication with the surgical team. The system features 3D HD vision, easy-to-adopt instrument control, and a choice of ergonomic working positions. “By thinking laparoscopically and operating robotically with Versius, patients, surgeons, and healthcare professionals can all benefit from the value that robotic MAS brings,” CMR Surgical stated.

In addition to its ergonomic benefits, Versius captures data in its digital ecosystem to support surgeons’ continuous learning. The Versius Connect app, Versius Trainer, and CMR clinical registry provide numerous insights to ultimately improve surgical care. Dr. Eric Potiron, a urologist at Clitnique Urologique Nantes-Atlantis, highlighted the versatility of the system: “Thanks to the versatility of the system, we have been able to establish an outpatient program for patients receiving radical prostatectomy using Versius.”

Extending Reach and Clinical Trials

More than 70% of hospitals that have used Versius have utilized it across two or more specialties, including urology, general surgery, gynecology, and thoracic surgery. The company is also conducting clinical trials for pediatric surgery and transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the U.K., in partnership with three clinical sites across the National Health System (NHS). The primary site of the pediatric trial is the Department of Pediatric Urology at Southampton Children’s Hospital, which was the first to perform pediatric urology surgery with Versius in a clinical trial.

The FDA has granted marketing authorization for cholecystectomy, and leading international journals have published clinical evidence on the use of Versius. With the latest product enhancements, CMR Surgical is focused on bringing the benefits of Versius to more hospitals and entering new markets to make minimal access surgery available to more patients around the world.

Future Prospects

With the Versius Plus offering, including significant enhancements such as vLimeLite and the Ultrasonic Dissector, as well as landmark clinical trials, CMR Surgical is well-positioned to provide more patients with the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery. “With the Versius Plus offering including significant enhancements such as vLimeLite and the Ultrasonic Dissector, as well as landmark clinical trials, we are in a strong position to provide more patients with the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery,” Colella said.