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| Flex Robotic System--Courtesy of Medrobotics |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the Flex Robotic System from Medrobotics in July. Now the startup has raised $25 million to launch the system for sale to U.S. hospitals. With its flexible scope, it's intended to provide an alternative to traditional line-of-sight approaches used to access and visualize the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx.
The system is the first robot-assisted surgical platform with a flexible scope that has been cleared by FDA for use during transoral procedures, the Raynham, MA-based startup noted. It was CE-marked in 2014.
"The minimally invasive system enables surgical access and visualization in hard-to-reach locations through a single site," said Medrobotics President and CEO Samuel Straface in a statement on the FDA clearance. "Doctors can then complete procedures that might otherwise be difficult, or even impossible, to perform due to inability to visualize or access the site."
The unique flexible robotic scope is designed to move easily until it reaches its desired location, and then it becomes rigid to create a stable surgical platform. It includes flexible surgical instruments such as the 3-mm wristed ones that enable operations in confined spaces.
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| Flex Robotic System scope--Courtesy of Medrobotics |
"The Flex Robotic System provides unparalleled access and visualization of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx," added Dr. Marshall Strome, professor and chairman emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute and co-chair of Medrobotics' Medical Advisory Board. "When used in combination with the highly adjustable Flex Retractor, surgeons can greatly extend their reach in challenging areas of the mouth and throat. I consider these products transformative."
This financing brings the total venture capital raised by Medrobotics to over $70 million, according to SEC filings. The startup was founded in 2005 as a spinoff from Carnegie Mellon University. Its investors include The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, where Straface was previously an executive-in-residence.
- here is the financing announcement