Medtronic is intensifying its efforts to compete in the rapidly expanding robotic surgery market, currently led by Intuitive Surgical. Central to this strategy is the continued development and expansion of the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery platform, which, along with its market-leading LigaSure vessel sealing technology, is driving momentum within the company’s surgical business.
During Medtronic’s fourth-quarter earnings call in May, CEO Geoff Martha emphasized the importance of the Hugo platform in accelerating surgical growth and highlighted the strong surgeon uptake of LigaSure technology, which is helping the company gain market share in the advanced energy devices segment.
At the Society of Robotic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Strasbourg, France, Medtronic announced that its LigaSure device has received CE Mark certification in Europe. The device is capable of sealing blood vessels in approximately two seconds, while effectively minimizing the spread of thermal energy to surrounding tissues—a key advantage in minimally invasive procedures.
Dr. Miguel Caceres of Pacifica Salud Hospital in Panama noted in Medtronic’s statement:
“LigaSure technology is one of the most significant advancements in minimally invasive surgery. It provides both sealing and cutting capabilities with high reliability, enhancing surgeon performance and ensuring patient safety. As a robotic surgeon, having access to LigaSure gives us greater confidence in achieving a secure seal.”
Medtronic’s Hugo system, which first obtained CE Mark approval in 2021, is now being used in over 30 countries. In the United States, the company has submitted its application to the FDA for approval of Hugo in urology procedures during the first quarter of this calendar year. Additional indications, including hernia repair and gynecologic surgeries, are planned for future expansion.
As part of its activities at the Strasbourg meeting, Medtronic also scheduled a live telesurgery demonstration using the Hugo system and announced it would present new clinical data on its use in gynecologic procedures.
These initiatives reflect Medtronic’s commitment to innovation in robotic surgery and its strategic focus on advancing minimally invasive surgical solutions globally.