Robotic Surgery, Hugo vs Da Vinci & The Role of Simulation

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Your background is quite interesting, and I would love to hear more about your experience at Medtronic, where you launched robotics. A good place to start would be to ask why Medtronic chose to enter the robotic surgery market.

Medtronic is focused on enhancing life, extending life, and reducing pain. With robotics, AI, and the digitization of healthcare, they are entering the next stage of healthcare evolution. As a large company with many resources and talented people, it's almost mandatory for them to push the needle forward for medical devices. This also allows them to bring multiple technologies onto a single platform, which is more efficient. Medtronic has multiple platforms, such as camera systems and surgical instrumentation, and they can now provide them in a more packaged methodology through the digitization of surgery. This optimizes treatment for better outcomes and protects their legacy business from new market entrants.

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How did Medtronic decide to approach the launch of Hugo?

One aspect I was involved in was setting training foundations. We gathered a group of experts in robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and pedagogy, and asked them how we should teach people to use a robot and what standards should be set. It was similar to obtaining a driving license. The companies that produce cars shouldn't be the ones teaching people to drive or setting the standards. Instead, independent people with the interests of society and the industry should set those standards.

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What was the feedback from these experts on the unmet needs in the industry?

Standardization emerged as a key need. When teaching someone how to use a robot, it's important to have a standardized, staged approach. For example, one module could cover the basics of the robot's functions, while another could teach basic movements and suturing. It's essential to start with a simple, standard procedure for everyone to learn. You don't want someone attempting a complex procedure after only a short time. It's similar to learning a musical instrument; you start with the basics and gradually progress to more complex pieces. You cannot turn up and say, I want to do this very complex case; the patient is scheduled two weeks from now. Teach me how to use the robot. Those are the kind of processes and modules you need to build when you are creating a robotics training program. Few medical schools teach robotics, so this training usually occurs postgraduate. It's crucial to standardize this training across the world.

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