Amadeus Surgical Robot and the Promise of Competition

Titan Medical is starting to perform clinical studies with their Amadeus Robotic Surgical System, and if all goes well, this will be the first real competitor in the surgical market since Intuitive Surgical merged with Computer Motion. The Amadeus system is intended to allow surgeons better access to critical areas with the development of multiple articulating arms, making the system more applicable to cardiovascular procedures.

In an article on Product Design & Development, Reiza Rayman, MD, president of Titan Medical, said In my opinion, the da Vinci is primarily focused on and well-suited for prostate procedures and hysterectomies. We want to expand those capabilities to include bowel surgeries, as well as more delicate areas like the heart  specifically procedures centering on the mitral valve.

The Amadeus will be better suited for these procedures through the use of less rigid instrument shafts made from lighter-weight carbon fillers. Not only will they be easier to manoeuvre, but they will also offer a better line of sight through the laparoscopic port via advanced 3-D imaging.

Titan Medical plans to help expand the surgical market by offering the Amadeus as an option for surgical laparoscopic applications. Several hospitals in New York, Canada, and London have already begun working with the prototype, and clinical trials are projected to start in 2012 with the goal of having the Amadeus ready for market when current patents expire.

It may be a while before clinical trials verify how effective the Amadeus system really is, but adding competition is always good for the market as another player should help bring down costs and facilitate a more rapid delivery of new technology. This is good news for patients and providers.